Mets fans might have gotten their answer to whether their team will be buyers or sellers.
Around midnight — not long after the All-Star Game ended — the Mets traded closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Brewers in exchange for two players to be named later, according to SI.com’s Jon Heyman. Heyman announced the trade on his Twitter account. While they haven’t yet been announced, those players to be named later will likely be prospects. Players to be named must be traded within six months according to MLB rules. The AP reported the Mets also included cash considerations in the deal.
Rodriguez had a vesting option in his contract for 55 games finished. If he reached that number, he would be guaranteed $17.5 million next season — by far the highest paid closer in baseball. He currently stands at 34 games finished, well on pace to the 55 required for the vesting option. With the Mets’ financial issues it was a move that many foresaw happening before the July 31 trading deadline.
This could be the first step of many moves for the Mets before the deadline. Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran are also free agents and their futures with the team remain questionable because of owner Fred Wilpon’s financial issues.
The Brewers are 49-43 and tied atop the NL Central with St. Louis. Their closer, John Axford, has been solid this season. He has 23 saves and a 2.83 ERA. Rodriguez also has 23 saves, with a 3.16 ERA.
Jason Isringhausen or Bobby Parnell would likely step in as closer for the Mets.
Milwaukee has been aggressive in the past though. Most notably they traded for CC Sabathia from the Indians in 2008. He went 11-2 with a 1.65 ERA and pitched them into the playoffs.
