K-Rod accepts arbitraton offer from Brewers

MILWAUKEE According to reports, Francisco Rodriguez has accepted the Brewers' arbitration offer.The right-hander had until 11 p.m. to accept the offer. The Brewers had no interest in retaining Rodriguez's services and he was looking to land a deal that would allow him to close.Rodriguez originally had a 17.5 million option for 2012 that would have become guaranteed had he closed out 21 games with the Brewers, who acquired him during the All-Star Game in July. Shortly after, the team and Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras, reworked that deal to make the option mutual and replaced 500,000 in incentive bonuses with guaranteed money.At the time, the plan was to use both players in the role, but Axford was perfect through the end of the regular season and though he expressed displeasure with the role, Rodriguez performed well. He appeared in 31 games, posing a 4-0 record and a 1.86 ERA.The Brewers had little interest in resigning Rodriguez but offered him arbitration anyway in the hopes of obtaining an extra selection next June in the MLB Draft.Now, the Brewers and Rodriguez, for the time being, remain in business. The two sides will present figures and an arbitrator will choose one number or another. The saving grace for the Brewers is that the contract is not guaranteed. He could be released during Spring Training, leaving the Brewers on the hook for only a fraction of the contract.The news came not long after LaTroy Hawkins reportedly signed a one-year, 3 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Hawkins spent the last two seasons with the Brewers and was a key player down the stretch, which made him an attractive candidate to return in 2012.Melvin, though, couldn't make a financial offer until he knew whether Rodriguez would accept arbitration. Hawkins got a deal he couldn't pass up and the Brewers' plans moving forward this offseason are even more unclear.