Arizona Diamondbacks: 3 Closers on the Cheap
Sep 25, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez (57) celebrates with catcher Martin Maldonado (12) after closing out the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. The Brewers defeated the Cardinals 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
He will turn 34 in the beginning of January with another All-Star season in his rear-view mirror. K-Rod is sort of a hybrid between Papelbon and Soria. He is under contract for 2016 at $5.5 million dollars with a $6 million dollar option for 2017. That is less than what Soria will earn as a free agent but trading for Rodriguez would require more of an offer for the Milwaukee Brewers than the Nats would demand for Papelbon. The veteran right-hander may not have the blazing fastball anymore but he still averages more than a strikeout per inning. He finished 2015 with 38 saves in 60 appearances and an ERA of 2.21. If he saves 14 games in 2016, K-Rod will become only sixth pitcher to reach the 400 save milestone.