The Mets announced Tuesday they had reached an accord with closer Francisco Rodriguez. The franchise will guarantee Rodriguez’s contract and will pull him off of the disqualified list. Rodriguez, in turn, will not fight the organization for the $3.1 million he lost after being shut down in August with right thumb ligament surgery after allegedly assaulting his common-law father-in-law in the Citi Field family room.
Simply, the machinations mean that, baring the unforeseen, KRod will be the Mets closer in 2011.
“We are pleased that Frankie Rodriguez has accepted responsibility for his actions and their consequences. We have been assured that he is taking steps to address the issues that led to the incident, and that those efforts will continue,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. “We have also been assured that he will work hard both on and off the field to regain the trust of the organization, Mets fans and the community.”
The Mets also stated that Rodriguez’s surgery was successful and that the organization expects him to be ready for spring training. They did not comment on Rodriguez’s on-going legal proceeding. The closer is due back in court in early November.
Rodriguez is due to make $11.5 million next year. There is a $17.5 million option for 2012 if he appears in 55 games.
