K-Rod Looks to Future, and It Might Not Be in Anaheim

According to Bill Plunkett at the Orange County Register, 2008 could be closer Francisco Rodriguez’ last season in an Angels uniform. Rodriguez is scheduled to have an arbitration hearing on Thursday to determine this year’s salary, but will be eligible for free agency after the season.

Quoth Rodriguez:

If they wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago. But, in the meantime, I have to put that out of my head. I can’t be thinking they don’t want me here or anything like that. Just do my job.

Here’s the thing. If he’s thinking that he has to “put that out of my head,” then presumably it’s already in his head. Why are the Angels, who don’t exactly lack resources, messing around with this? In general, I believe that relievers are fairly interchangeable, but Rodriguez has demonstrated a consistent ability to dominate hitters and he’s only 26 years old. In my book, locking up a guy like that makes sense.

Quoth Angels GM Tony Reagins:

I’ve said it before, it’s his right (to become a free agent). He’s earned it. We’ve presented a position to them. At that point it was declined… We made what we thought was a fair offer. It wasn’t accepted. They said they were probably going to go year-to-year, which to me, means they’re going to explore their opportunities (in free agency).

Maybe this isn’t what Reagins intended, but how many fans are going to read his quotes and perceive that he’s placing the blame on Rodriguez: “We made an offer, they declined, it’s out of our hands.”