Will the Tigers finally figure out how to spell relief in 2016?
Will it be R-O-D-R-I-G-U-E-Z? Or will it again be R-O-L-A-I-D-S?
Detroit acquires veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Brewers, CBS Sports reports:
Rodriguez, 33, is coming off a 2015 season in which he pitched to a 2.21 ERA and 5.64 K/BB ratio for Milwaukee. For his career, he boasts an ERA+ of 156 and 386 saves across parts of 14 big-league seasons. Those 386 saves rank seventh on the all-time list and first among actives. Over the course of his career, K-Rod has converted 86 percent of his save opportunities.
The bullpen has been a big big problem for the Tigers. Reliefer Joakim Soria was pretty bad when he first arrived in Detroit, but last year he did pretty well until he was traded. The Tigers had some others who showed some promise, but overall, the bullpen for the most part has been a nightmare
Rodriguez, a six-foot right-hander from Venezuela, is under contract for $5.5 million this year, CBS Sports says.
Here's how a Detroit News sportswriter reacts:
Tigers got a good closer in K-Rod. Only anxiety would be age: 34 in January. But threw so well in 2015 Tigers likely are on safe ground.
— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) November 18, 2015
