A day after Francisco Rodriguez was sent to the hospital due to back spasms, the New York Mets closer was back with the team. Although it is currently unknown when he’ll be able to pitch again for the Mets, it appears as if Rodriguez has avoided serious injury.
When he originally got hurt, it appeared as if Rodriguez’s injury could be serious. The closer says that he couldn’t walk after his legs locked up. Mets medical personnel decided to take Rodriguez to the hospital via an ambulance.
Said Rodriguez: “That was scary. I’ve never felt anything like that.”
The Mets also had to …read more

Having two are three top fantasy baseball closers is always helpful in the fantasy baseball world. Here are the top closers in 2009 fantasy baseball so far:
1) Jonathan Broxton, Los Angeles Dodgers
Some Dodgers fans thought the closer spot in the bullpen could be shaky in 2009. Guess again. Broxton has eight saves, an era of 0.56, a WHIP of 0.38 and 27 strikeouts in 16 innings.
2) Frank Francisco, Texas Rangers
The Rangers gave Francisco the closers job. So far, so great. He hasn’t given up a run yet and has nine saves and a win.
3) Heath Bell, San Diego Padres
Another closer …read more

After losing closer Francisco Rodriguez to the New York Mets in free agency, the Los Angeles Angels found their new closer when they signed Brian Fuentes. Fuentes, who spent the last seven seasons with the Colorado Rockies, signed a two-year deal.
The total value of the contract is believed to be approximately $17.5 million. There’s also a potential third year of the deal that will be enacted based on performance.
Fuentes will definitely have big shoes to fill. Last season, Rodriguez set a Major League Baseball record with 62 saves. He broke the record previously held by Bobby Thigpen of the …read more

Derek Lowe is arguably the most sought after free agent starting pitcher left on the market. When we speculated Lowe’s possible destinations, we put the New York Mets at the top of the list. On Tuesday, the Mets made a move to acquire Lowe.
According to multiple reports, the Mets have offered Lowe a contract that is worth $36 million over three years. However, Lowe’s agent reportedly wants a five-year contract for the 35-year-old hurler.
While that might be what the agent wants, it’s unlikely that a team is going to give Lowe a contract that will pay him until the age …read more

As we speculated yesterday, the New York Mets have signed Francisco Rodriguez. Rodriguez, formerly of the Los Angeles Angels, is coming off of a season in which he saved an MLB record 62 games.
The initial offer by the Mets was believed to be for two years. However, the Mets decided to up the deal to three years. The deal with Rodriguez is believed to be worth approximately $37 million.
Rodriguez will step right into the closer role for the Mets. He’ll replace Billy Wagner, who was lost to a long-term injury last season.
Although Rodriguez was obviously a wanted man following his …read more

The New York Mets are desperate for a closer. Last season, Billy Wagner suffered a serious injury and isn’t expected to return at any point soon — or perhaps ever. After Wagner went down, the Mets struggled to find a capable closer.
Francisco Rodriguez had a completely opposite season. With the Los Angeles Angels, Rodriguez had a Major League Baseball record of 62 saves — breaking the record formerly held by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox.
It’s no wonder that one of the first things the Mets did in the winter meetings was to offer Rodriguez a contract. The …read more

The reigning World Series champions are looking as dangerous as ever. Playing in Game 2 on the road already hold a 1-0 lead, the Red Sox won again to all but put the Los Angeles Angels out of their misery.
This would be a disappointing way for the Angels to finish the season, especially considering that they had the best record in baseball during the regular season. However, the Red Sox just appear to be more poised and the Angels seem to be a bit rusty after not having a pressure packed game in a few months.
The hero in Game 2 …read more

5) Mike Mussina, New York Yankees
Although he doesn’t have a legitimate chance to win the award, Mike Mussina has pitched well enough in 2008 to be an American League Cy Young favorite. While many Yankee fans were ready to bury him coming into the season, Mussina responded with a vintage season. He currently has an ERA of 3.57 to go with a record of 18-9.
4) Roy Halladay, Toronto Blue Jays
Another year, another Roy Halladay great season. Perhaps the most underrated pitcher in the entire major leagues, Halladay currently has a 2.81 ERA and a 19-11 record. It took the Blue …read more

Francisco Rodriguez is now the all-time single season leader for saves. The Los Angeles Angels owner got his 58th save on Saturday night to pass Bobby Thigpen. Thigpen had set the record while with the Chicago White Sox.
You can watch the video of Francisco Rodriguez getting his save in style with a strikeout against the Seattle Mariners. After the strikeout, Rodriguez celebrated by pointing to the heavens.
On the season, Rodriguez AKA K-Rod has been very good. To go along with his 58 saves, Rodriguez has a 2.38 ERA to go along with 58 strikeouts in less than …read more

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 …read more