Reports: Closer Fernando Rodney to sign with Twins
Dec 14, 2017, 9:52 AM | Updated: 11:57 am
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Fernando Rodney applauds after retiring Colorado Rockies' Jonathan Lucroy for the final out of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 6-2. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Arizona Diamondbacks will begin searching for a new closer, as 40-year-old Fernando Rodney has agreed to sign with the Minnesota Twins, according to multiple reports.
Sirius XM’s Craig Mish was first to report Rodney’s agreement and added that it will be worth one year and up to $6 million, including incentives.
The move is pending a physical.
In his single season with the D-backs, the 14-year veteran was tied for fourth in MLB with 39 saves. He also recorded six blown saves.
Rodney sported a 4.23 ERA in 2017 with splits of 5.58 before the All-Star break and 2.55 after due to an opening month in which he allowed 14 earned runs in 10.0 innings.
From May through October, he gave up 12 more runs.
“Guy that’s been around a long time, 40 years old and kept himself in really, really good shape. For those of us that got a chance to watch him every single day, we could see that there was a tremendous work ethic that translated to success on the field,” D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said of Rodney on Wednesday. “It’s hard to believe he’s still throwing 95, 96 miles an hour with the stuff that he has.
“Well, based on what I saw at the end of the year, seems like he might be able to pitch until he’s 50, to be honest with you,” Lovullo added. “He works extremely hard during his pregame. As hard as any pitcher we had in our system. Do I think there’s stuff left? Absolutely. How much, I don’t know.”
