LAS VEGAS (AP) -Francisco Rodriguez put on his hard hat and a New York Mets jacket as he posed for photos Wednesday at Citi Field.
General manager Omar Minaya has the closer he desperately needed. The rest of his team is still under construction – just like the Mets’ new ballpark.
Rodriguez and the Mets completed their $37 million, three-year contract when the record-setting reliever passed a physical Wednesday, filling a huge hole at the back of New York’s deficient bullpen.
“It definitely gives us a good momentum,” Minaya said. “It gives us a foundation, at least at the back end, and then the other guys that we have are fitting into a better role, roles that they are accustomed to.”
ce bonuses. The 2012 option would become guaranteed if K-Rod stays healthy and finishes a certain amount of games.
All-Star closer Billy Wagner is expected to miss all of next season following elbow ligament replacement surgery, so the Mets had to find a replacement.
Moving aggressively at baseball’s winter meetings, they landed the top reliever available on the free-agent market. Rodriguez saved 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels this year, five more than the previous major league mark set by Bobby Thigpen of the Chicago White Sox in 1990.
“I think the numbers speak for themselves but I think he adds confidence and a little swagger to the team,” Mets third baseman David Wright said in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “He’s a guy that has pitched in big playoff situations and has been to where we are trying to go. He has two or three pitches that he can throw in any count for strikes, and gets a ton of strikeouts.”
The way Minaya sees it, the only closer better than Rodriguez pitches across town: Mariano Rivera of the New York Yankees.
“I just thought that when you look at the volume, there’s Mariano and then there’s Frankie – statistically,” the GM said.
nkees. The Mets were a natural fit because they were one of the few big-market teams looking for an elite closer this offseason. They also considered pursuing Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman.
“I think it’s a good deal for both sides,” Minaya said. “It wasn’t like he was the only one out there. That works on my side.”
Because Johan Santana wears No. 57, Rodriguez will switch to No. 75.
“I’m thrilled to join the Mets,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “Mets fans are very passionate and playing in a new ballpark is going to be great. I’m going to do everything I can to help bring a championship to Citi Field.”
The ineffective bullpen was a big reason New York missed the playoffs again this year with its second consecutive September collapse.
Minaya thinks K-Rod is equipped to thrive under pressure in New York – though he could fit in with the Mets in another way, too: Some take exception to Rodriguez’s antics on the mound, and the Mets have drawn the ire of opposing teams for their boisterous celebrations.
A three-time All-Star, Rodriguez turns 27 next month and his youth was one reason the Mets preferred him. While some teams were worried about his violent pitching motion and drop in velocity last season, he developed an outstanding changeup to go along with his other pitches.
th-delivery guy. Much easier,” Minaya said. “But it’s that funkiness that helps him.”
The addition of Rodriguez gives New York a boost as it prepares for its first season at Citi Field, an $800 million ballpark in the final stages of construction adjacent to Shea Stadium.
But the Mets still have an opening in their rotation and a shaky setup situation.
After signing K-Rod, Minaya said he doesn’t expect to have the financial resources to get involved in serious negotiations with free-agent starters A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.
The GM said he thought it was “50-50” that New York would re-sign lefty Oliver Perez, and he’ll probably wait until January to see what happens with Pedro Martinez.
As of now, it appears the Mets will go to spring training with young pitcher Jon Niese and perhaps Bobby Parnell competing for the final spot in the rotation.
In the bullpen, Minaya wants to shake things up. Even with Rodriguez on board, New York is thought to be interested in trading for Seattle closer J.J. Putz, who could be used in a setup role.
“We’re going to do the best we can to change it up a little,” Minaya said.
take long to reach an agreement.
K-Rod gets a $2 million signing bonus payable upon approval, $8.5 million next year and $11.5 million each in 2010 and 2011. The deal contains a $17.5 million option for 2012 that would become guaranteed if K-Rod has 55 games finished in 2011, 100 games finished in 2010-11 combined and doctors declare him healthy at the end of the 2011 season.
If the option doesn’t become guaranteed, Rodriguez would get a $3.5 million termination payment.
Rodriguez can earn $500,000 in performance bonuses in each of the three guaranteed seasons: $150,000 each for 50 and 55 games finished, and $200,000 for 60 games finished. In 2012, he would earn $300,000 each for 50 and 55 games finished and $400,000 for 60 games finished.
He has the right to block trades to 10 teams.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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