As I wrote about over the weekend, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez is about to enter the arbitration process with the Angels on a new contract for the 2008 season. As is often the case with arbitration hearings, where a player is forced to sit there and listen to all the reasons why he isn't worth the money he wants, animosity between the player and an organization rears it's ugly head.Well, the animosity is here, and Rodriguez said on Sunday that he thinks 2008 will be his last season in an Angels uniform.
"Yeah, probably. Probably," the two-time All-Star closer said. "If they wanted me here, they would have done something a long time ago. But, in the meantime, I have to put that out of my head. I can't be thinking they don't want me here or anything like that. Just do my job."Rodriguez was a huge factor in the Angels 2002 World Series title, and has continued to be a big reason why the Angels have consistently finished atop the AL West standings since then. Still, finding a new closer isn't that hard for a team to do, especially a team with as much young pitching talent as the Angels. With all the money the team has put into free agents like Gary Matthews Jr. and Torii Hunter the last few seasons, the team would probably be better off using the money they'd have to commit to Rodriguez in other areas.
That the Angels don't want him beyond this season is "not what I'm saying," Rodriguez said, "it's just something I can't control."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
People around the country are struggling to keep a roof over their heads, and Frankie wants $12.5m, instead of the $10m the team has offered him. Maybe this is why my season ticket bill was $12,000 this year. He could buy half of his country for this year's salary, but he wants more. Free agency has gone WAY too far!
HEY FRANKIE..try firing your agent! There's a raise for ya!