Tigers make a change at closer after Francisco Rodriguez's horrendous start
Fourth all-time in saves, K-Rod has really struggled this season
By
Matt Snyder
•
1 min read
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus announced a no-brainer of a decision on Tuesday, which was that he demoted embattled closer Francisco Rodriguez from the role. Justin Wilson, who has been outstanding so far this season, will take over closing duties.
On the discussion of K-Rod, though, did the Tigers go far enough? He's due less than $5 million the rest of this season before hitting free agency and has been absolutely atrocious to this point. At age 35 and with 933 appearances (21st in MLB history), he might be cooked for good.
Rodriguez's fastball isn't even averaging 90 miles per hour, while he's throwing his change harder than he did a few years ago, making it easier for the hitters to avoid being fooled. As such, the results have played out in an expected fashion.
In 13 games this season, K-Rod has an 8.49 ERA and a 2.06 WHIP and has allowed opposing hitters to crush him to the tune of .352/.407/.722 with eight doubles and four home runs in 11 2/3 innings. Basically, he's made entire teams look like a player who would be accused to rampant steroid abuse. He's even allowed six of his seven inherited runners to score (which harms the ERA of the pitcher he relieved, not himself).
This is a player who trails only Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman and Lee Smith with 437 career saves. He's a six-time All-Star who has finished in the top five of Cy Young voting three times. He holds the single-season record in saves with 62 (2008) and has been very good in the postseason overall, grabbing a ring in 2002 at age 20. He's struck out 1,132 hitters in 962 1/3 career innings.
Really, Francisco Rodriguez is a historically great reliever. Some will consider him for the Hall of Fame.
Again, though, he looks done. It happens. Father Time is undefeated. It might behoove the Tigers to take the loss here and eat the rest of K-Rod's deal in the next few weeks.
As for the new closer, Wilson has looked the part so far. In 13 2/3 innings, he has a 1.32 ERA, 0.59 WHIP and 22 strikeouts compared to only four walks. Opposing hitters have only managed to hit .087/.160/.217 against him. He's inherited six runners and only one has scored.
So Wilson has been the polar opposite of Rodriguez so far this season. The Tigers are hoping that continues to be the case with the switch to Wilson as closer.
