Francisco Rodriguez

The Brewers and RHP Francisco Rodriguez avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $8 million contract.

The Brewers were hoping that K-Rod would reject their arbitration offer this winter and sign elsewhere as a free agent, thus netting the team a draft pick. But a market for him never materialized and so he decided to take the most lucrative route. He earned $11.5 million in 2011 while posting a 2.64 ERA and 79/26 K/BB ratio in 71 2/3 innings between New York and Milwaukee.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that a “handful of teams” have expressed trade interest in Francisco Rodriguez.

Rosenthal didn’t name any of the teams, but there are a few clubs out there looking for a closer that are sure to at least send feelers out on a possible deal for K-Rod. Rodriguez accepted arbitration from the Brewers, which means he’s set to earn around $13-14 million in 2012. Although Milwaukee insists they’re OK with paying that much to a setup man, they’re going to see what the market is for K-Rod.

Francisco Rodriguez has accepted arbitration from the Brewers.

K-Rod doesn’t want to set up for John Axford, but evidently he’ll make an exception if it means making around $13 million through arbitration. Of course, the Brewers could also wind up trading him to another team in need of a closer. K-Rod held a 2.64 ERA and 79/26 K/BB rate over 73 games this season for the Mets and Brewers in 2011.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Francisco Rodriguez will likely accept arbitration from the Brewers.

Marcos Gruneld of BeisbolVenezolano.net also reported previously that K-Rod has decided to accept. The Brewers have said publicly that they would be happy if Rodriguez accepted, but they can’t be totally stoked about having a potentially $13 million setup man, which is around what K-Rod will earn through arbitration. They could wind up trading him to a team in need of a closer if they decide they can’t afford to pay someone so much to pitch the eighth inning.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com writes that the Brewers are bracing for Francisco Rodriguez to accept arbitration.

Peter Gammons of MLB Network reports that Francisco Rodriguez is not expected to accept arbitration from the Brewers.

The Brewers made what some felt was a risky decision in offering K-Rod arbitration, as he would stand to earn more than the $11.5 million he received in 2011. But, they know K-Rod doesn’t want to set up for John Axford and would probably decline, which is sounds like he will. At worst, they’ll have an overpriced elite setup man.

The Mets have contacted free agent reliever Francisco Rodriguez, according to SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

Rodriguez was offered arbitration by the Brewers last month and is a Type A free agent. Due to the changes in the new CBA, teams will not have to surrender a first-round pick in order to sign him. Rodriguez said in October that he is open to returning to the Mets, but it seems like a longshot. Setting aside the drama of his tenure in New York, there are enough options in free agency right now for the Mets to land a new closer at a reasonable cost. Obviously K-Rod can just accept Milwaukee’s arbitration offer if an attractive offer doesn’t surface. He posted a 2.64 ERA and 79/26 K/BB rate over 73 games this season for the Mets and Brewers.

Francisco Rodriguez was offered arbitration by the Brewers.

Rodriguez is a Type A free agent this winter, but due to the changes in the new CBA, teams will not have to surrender a first-round pick in order to sign him. There’s a slim chance that K-Rod could accept arbitration if he doesn’t find an offer to his liking, but the Brewers will receive two picks if he gets his wish and finds a place to close ballgames again.