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January 18, 2007

K-Rod In Yanks Future?

From SI.com's - Scorecard Daily

With Mariano Rivera nearing retirement in New York, the Yankees are already said to be eyeing the Angels' Francisco Rodriguez as a potential replacement. Rodriguez could command a deal in the four-year, $38-million range. -- Los Angeles Times

I hope this is just K-Rod's agent trying to scare the Angels. I find it hard to root for Francisco Rodriguez. He's such a hot-dog - out of the Ugueth Urbina mold. I would rather see the Yankees try and replace Mo, when the time comes, with someone young from the system. Maybe Humberto Sanchez, Dellin Betances, Kevin Whelan, Mark Melancon or someone like that?

Posted by Steve Lombardi at January 18, 2007 09:55 AM

Comments

Weren't the Yankees discussing extending Mo so he could pitch in the new stadium? I bet you're right Steve...that this is just a ploy by K-Rod's agent to get them to pay up for him.

Posted by: bfriley76 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 18, 2007 10:36 AM

I'll take all of those kids as replacements except Betances, who's a starter and already has a variety of pitches as a teenager.

But ask yourself this: why would a team with as much money as the Angels ever get outbid for one of their main players, who they developed and watched become successful (in the regular and post-season)? The article mentions that it would take a 38 million/4-year deal to secure K-Rod in the future. I think that figure is a little low. K-Rod can get wild at times and walk people, but a shutdown closer this young is hard to come by. The Red Sox would probably pay him 12 million a year. You could definitely make the argument that K-Rod is better than Billy Wagner, and Billy got a huge four-year contract from the Mets.

I don't think there's any chance the Angels let him walk.

Posted by: baileywalk [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 18, 2007 11:53 AM

Don't forget Joba as a possible closer. When the Yanks drafted him I read one scout who compared him to Paplebon.

Posted by: dpk875 [TypeKey Profile Page] at January 19, 2007 01:37 PM