A short time prior to the 2011 Trade Deadline, the New York Mets traded away closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers. The return was not anything that I was particular excited about, but the move was still good for the New York Mets because it saved them a lot of money and removed someone from the team who is a slight liability – emotionally if not physically as well. The physical part of that equation may be a bit unfair because he has pitched well the past two seasons. Either way, its still a bit concerning to see his fastball velocity continue to fall to new lows each year. By trading Francisco Rodriguez, the New York Mets were willing to leave a hole at the back of the bullpen – a hole that was filled insufficiently for the remainder of the season. New York Mets’ GM Sandy Alderson has made it a point to address that vacancy and strengthen the bullpen as a whole. According to Andrew Marchand, the New York Mets are “not ruling out” b...
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