Francisco Rodriguez has accepted the Milwaukee Brewers’ salary arbitration offer, guaranteeing two things in Milwaukee. First, the Brew Crew will have a dominant 1-2 combination at the back end of the bullpen, but more importantly, this move all but guarantees that Prince Fielder will sign with a new team this offseason.
The move is surprising on many fronts. I am not at all shocked that the Brewers offered Rodriguez arbitration, because by doing so, had he signed with another team, then Milwaukee would have received two premium first round picks in the 2012 MLB First Year Player Draft. You have to believe that is what they were hoping for, at least on some level.
I am also a bit surprised that Rodriguez accepted the offer, as he voiced his opinion strongly last season about not being happy about not receiving save opportunities. Now, he is saying that he is fine in a set up role for team closer John Axford.
That is, unless the Brewers decide to trade Rodriguez, who, at approx...
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