Does closer role bring out the best in Rodney?

Mamba · Apr 19, 2010

TORONTO - The Angels got two pitchers for the price of one when they signed Fernando Rodney this past winter – and only one of them is very good.

Over the past two seasons (2009 as the Tigers closer and six appearances into this season with the Angels), Rodney has allowed just 12 earned runs in 41 2/3 innings pitched in save situations (a 2.59 ERA). In 39 innings that weren't save situations, he has allowed 29 earned runs (a 6.69 ERA).

Angels manager Mike Scioscia has seen this before from pitchers he depended on late in games. Both Francisco Rodriguez and Troy Percival were noticeably less effective when the adrenaline of a save situation was lacking.

"Guys respond differently," Scioscia said. "I don't know if you're going to use it as a crutch to where you say, 'Well, it wasn't a save situation. He was just getting his work in' (to explain a bad performance).

"If your point is – does he (Rodney) need that to pitch effectively? We'll see. I don't know if that's necessarily the case. I know it was like that with Frankie (Rodriguez) and (Troy) Percival too. I think with some guys there is a little validity to that."

Rodney has allowed four runs and three hits in his five appearances for the Angels – all in a game against the Twins when he was asked to pitch the ninth inning with the Angels trailing 6-1 (they lost 10-1).

In his other five appearances, Rodney has allowed just one baserunner on a walk while getting a hold (for Brian Fuentes' Opening Night save), a win (when the Angels rallied in the ninth against the A's last weekend) and three saves since Fuentes on the DL.

Rodney has retired all nine batters he has faced in going 3 for 3 in save situations with Fuentes idled – sure to add fuel to the almost inevitable closer debate.

"Nothing's changed," Scioscia said after Rodney recorded his third save in Fuentes' absence Saturday. "As we talked about from the beginning of the year, there are going to be games Fernando gets a chance to save even if Brian is active. That depth in the back end of our bullpen is important."

Rodney admits he can't help but get "more excited ... more focused to save a game." There were times last year with the Tigers, he said, when manager Jim Leyland asked him to pitch in situations Rodney didn't think fit the closer's job description.

"I don't know why that it is. It happened a couple times to me last year," Rodney said of the ballooning ERA in non-save situations. "I said, 'That's not for me. That's not really my situation.' But sometimes, you go three days and I don't pitch and I need to pitch.

"Something changes when I get the ball in the ninth inning."

That could be an uncomfortable combination for the Angels who plan to ask Rodney to pitch in save situations – but not the ninth inning. The plan is still for those final three outs (and the saves that come with them) to belong to Fuentes.

"I think if it's a close game, it doesn't matter (what inning it is)," Scioscia said. "Those close games are what bring that adrenaline out in a pitcher who's used to pitching to close out a game."
Click to expand...

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/rodney-244575-save-angels.html

Mamba · Apr 19, 2010

I'd much rather see Rodney as our closer than Fuentes. Rodney has dynamite stuff, a 2 seamer @ around 25, a 4 seamer that can top out @ 100, and a changeup with wicked movement on it. The only issue he has sometimes is his control, but when he is on his game, he is easily a top 5 closer in the league.

Sex Panther · Apr 19, 2010

I like Rodney, always have. I kind of see him as the Closer before the real closer, meaning the guy who'll occupy that role until the Angels acquire (or pick) a damn-great closer for the future.

Mamba · Apr 19, 2010

We are grooming our future closer in Kevin Jepsen I believe. Rodney works for now though.

Log in or Sign up

Does closer role bring out the best in Rodney?

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Sex Panther works every time.

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

Does closer role bring out the best in Rodney?

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Sex Panther works every time.

Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

Share This Page

Useful Searches