Mariners, Rodney Agree to 2yr Deal

The Seattle Mariners have come to terms on a two-year $14 million deal with free-agent closer Fernando Rodney today. The deal includes incentives that could bring the right hander's salary up to $15 million in 2014.

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The news, first reported by ESPN and Grantland's Jonah Keri, silences the many rumors that have been swirling around Rodney for weeks. He'd been linked to the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, New York. Mets and other teams, but only recently to Seattle. Quite a few teams are still actively looking for and in need of a closer. Seattle wasn't desperately in need of bullpen help which makes this a bit of a surprise.

The Mariners could have easily used Danny Farquhar who will likely be pushed back into the set up role. Farquhar hasn't had much success in Major League Baseball posting a 13.50 ERA in 3 games with Toronto in 2011. In all fairness he hasn't had much of a chance to prove himself. He did not pitch in 2012 being selected off of waivers first by the Oakland Athletics and then later that year by the Yankees. He was then sent to Seattle as part of the Ichiro Suzuki trade. He had a bit more success in 46 games with the Mariners last season. He posted a, much lower, 4.20 ERA in 2013. So Farquhar does absolutely have potential which explains the Mariners lack of desperation to add to their bullpen strength.

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Is Fernando Rodney the Last Hope for the Orioles, Mets? Who Will Win Out?

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With pitchers and catchers set to report to Spring Training in just weeks, there are still teams in need of key players and the free agent pool is getting smaller by the day. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets have this problem and both need to fill the same key role. They need a late-inning reliever, preferably an experienced closer.

Grant Balfour

The Orioles traded their closer Jim Johnson to Oakland then proceeded to blow off a what seemed like done-deal with former Oakland closer Grant Balfour due to medical concerns about his wrist and knee. The Mets, who have basically ignored their bullpen needs this off-season, seemed to have suddenly remembered that their closer, Bobby Parnell, is coming off of neck surgery and may be a liability in the closer role. With just a group of youngsters to back up Parnell, it seems they need a

Fernando Rodney

plan “B” as well.

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