Mets Trade Francisco Rodriguez And Cash To Brewers

Well the dismantling of the New York Mets has officially begun. The Mets have reportedly traded Francisco Rodriguez and cash to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for two players to be named later.

K-Rod going to the Brewers is just the first in what should be many moves the Mets will make over the next few weeks to get rid of excess payroll. The 29-year old Rodriguez is making about $12.2 million this year and if he somehow finishes 55 games (he has finished 34 so far) his $17. 5 million option for 2012 will vest and he’ll become a ridiculously expensive bullpen arm.

Rodriguez hasn’t been bad this year, he’s 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA, a 1.41 WHIP and 23 saves in 26 opportunities.

The Brewers are currently using John Axford as their closer and the 28-year-old is having a pretty good year. He is currently 2-2 with a 2.69 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 23 saves in 25 chances. Axford has also saved 20-straight chances, which could mean K-Rod is being brought in to set up for him. That would likely keep Rodriguez’s option from vesting, making him much cheaper for Milwaukee.

No word on what Rodriguez’s new agent Scott Boras thinks about the fact that his option for 2012 probably won’t vest.