2k13: Fernando Rodney

[revo]

I felt compelled to post this after watching him in the WBC tonight.

How does a career mediocrity have one of the greatest seasons by a closer in MLB history completely out of nowhere-- at age 35, no less? Yeah, he once saved 37 games, but if you compare those two seasons, they're night and day.

His BB% plummeted out of nowhere, it seems. His 1.8 BB% is almost HALF his prior season low. Heck, in '11 his BB% was 7.6/9 IP!! His BB/K ratio was by far the highest of his career, and not even close: 5.07, next best is 2.57.

While he never gave up too many HRs, his H% and BB% plunged to seemingly unsustainable levels.

I was born in NYC, so I'm naturally a skeptic. I ain't buying. He's being drafted as an elite option at closer, when he should be looked at as a potential disaster.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a 3.50+ ERA or perhaps a loss of his job altogether. Unless, of course, we're not privvvy to what may be really going on here.......

[madducks]

I read somewhere that last year he changed whichever side (left/right?) of the rubber he threw from. Obviously with great results.

[Moonlight J]

I read somewhere that last year he changed whichever side (left/right?) of the rubber he threw from. Obviously with great results.

yes, this was the case http://theprocessreport.wordpress.co...o-rodney-rays/

visual form

[joncarlos]

The Rays are really good at fixing people. Will he stay fixed? That's the big question. They have a lot of capable arms and he's signed cheap, but he was SOOOO good last year that even a 30% regression is probably good enough to keep the job. And they have some (small, medium, who knows) financial incentive to keep McGee in the 8th and not let saves drive up his arb price, so really F-Rod just has to outpitch Farnsy, Peralta, not Fausto and Jamey Wright, unless they decide to make Archer a reliever or something crazy like that.

[dave_dewit]

If Rodney can repeat his save total next year for the Rays, he would be just 5 saves short of the franchise record!

That has nothing to do with Rodney's success in 2013, but it is pretty darn interesting.

[Erik]

Fun fact: The Phillies' franchise record for saves (102) is held by... Jose Mesa.

Not Tug McGraw, not Jim Konstanty, not Steve Bedrosian, not Mitch Williams, not Billy Wagner, not Brad Lidge. Jose Freakin' Mesa.

[bryanbutler]

i'm watching rodney pitch in the WBC right now. just walked in a run.

i had forgotten that every time i see him pitch i just want to reach into the TV and straighten out his freakin' hat.

[bryanbutler]

watching the WBC tonight. rally plantain?!? really?!? that's some strange shizzle right there...

ETA: lols - he's got it stuffed in his pants. "is that a rally plaintain in your pants or are you just happy to see me."

[schlesinj]

The best tweet from last night was something like: Previously Rodney had his rally plantain in the center of his paints, since he shifted it to the left he has had much greater success.

[Moonlight J]

Fernando Rodney rules

[revo]

For the record, I hate that Rodney tilts his cap. Show some respect!

[Moonlight J]

For the record, I hate that Rodney tilts his cap. Show some respect!

dumbest meme ever..

I'm more annoyed about nobody wearing high socks. Show respect!

[joncarlos]

According to the BP podcast today (reporting what RJ Anderson said), Rodney moved back to the other side of the rubber this year. (The one where he sucked prior to 2012)

Sell, Mortimer, sell!

[cardboardbox]

If Rodney were to be replaced in the next few months is McGee still the guy to have? I assume he'll have to work off some of that era damage first or Farnsworth might get a shot.

[Moonlight J]

If Rodney were to be replaced in the next few months is McGee still the guy to have? I assume he'll have to work off some of that era damage first or Farnsworth might get a shot.

I'd see Peralta or Farnsworth first. McGee's fastball is a weapon Joe likes to utilize in many different ways.