As first reported by CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, the Milwaukee Brewers have re-signed closer Francisco Rodriguez to a two-year deal, with a team option for a third year.
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal later added that the contract will be worth $13 million.
This news is not good for the Phillies, who have well-publicly shopped their own closer, Jonathan Papelbon, around the league. Milwaukee was believed to have been the only team showing significant interest in the 34-year-old, 2007 World Series champion.
The Blue Jays also were rumored to be involved in trade talks for Papelbon, however Heyman reports today that they are 'not really interested':
With k-rod going to brewers, philly's options for papelbon are at very least well hidden. Jays not really interested.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) February 26, 2015
There is also a "mystery team" tied to Papelbon trade talks, and that is speculated to be the Los Angeles Dodgers. This comes after Kenley Jansen was sidelined 8-12 weeks as he recovers from a surgery that removed a growth from a bone in his left foot. Now that the Brewers and Blue Jays appear to be out, having a "monopolized" interest in potentially the Dodgers is not good for the Phillies, who seek a good return.
Rodriguez, 33, first signed with the Brewers in December of 2011. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on July 23, 2013 for minor-league infielder Nick Delmonico, and re-signed with the team that offseason on a one-year deal worth $3.25 million. In total over 193.2 innings and 203 games with Milwaukee, K-Rod has 57 saves with 204 strikeouts and just 68 walks allowed.
With 106 recorded saves as a Phillie, Papelbon needs just seven more to surpass Jose Mesa and become the franchise's all-time leader in the category. He currently is the Red Sox' all-time leader in saves with 219.
Perhaps leading two franchises in saves is a goal Papelbon wants to accomplish before being traded elsewhere. That is looking very likely now of coming to fruition after the Brewers' latest signing, providing he is given the opportunity to close games over Ken Giles come this April.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
