OXON HILL, Md. (AP) – Closer Fernando Rodney and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $2.75 million, one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the agreement is subject to a physical.
Rodney was an All-Star for the third time this year, saving 25 games in 28 chances with San Diego and Miami, which acquired him on June 30. While he had a 0.31 ERA for the Padres and was perfect in all 17 chances, his ERA climbed to 5.89 in 39 games with the Marlins, who declined a $2 million option and paid a $400,000 buyout.
Rodney, who turns 40 on March 18, has 261 saves and a 3.69 ERA in 14 major league seasons. He joins a bullpen projected to include Randall Delgado, Jake Barrett and Enrique Burgos.
“Everybody has a chance to compete as a key piece in the bullpen. It’s wide open,” new manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday. “It’s no mystery that maybe we need somebody in the back end, maybe a closer that’s going to let young pitchers develop.”