Tigers hope K-Rod ends relief misery

DETROIT— The Tigers are turning to Francisco Rodriguez in their latest attempt to shore up the back end of their bullpen.

Detroit acquired the right-hander in a trade with Milwaukee on Wednesday, sending minor league infielder Javier Betancourt and a player to be named to the Brewers. Detroit general manager Al Avila said the Tigers might also receive a player to be named in the deal, but that’s not certain.

Rodriguez, who turns 34 in January, went 1-3 with a 2.21 ERA for the Brewers in 2015. He had 38 saves in 40 chances. Detroit finished last in the AL Central this year after winning four straight division titles, and the bullpen was a priority heading into this off-season.

Detroit’s bullpen has been an issue for the last few seasons. Closer Jose Valverde faltered toward the end of 2012, and the following year, the Tigers eventually settled on Joaquin Benoit as their closer. Then Benoit left and they signed Joe Nathan, but he struggled in 2014 and missed almost all of 2015 with an elbow injury.

The Tigers declined their $10-million option on Nathan for 2016, and Rodriguez became an attractive target.

“It’s something that me and my family are looking forward . . . knowing a little bit more about my future, where I’m going to be at next year,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez is owed $7.5 million for 2016, with $2 million of that deferred interest free until January 2018. He has a $6 million team option for 2017 that includes a $2 million buyout.

K-Rod holds the major league record of 62 saves in a season. He set that mark in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels, then signed with the New York Mets. He was traded to Milwaukee in 2011, and after an unimpressive showing in 2012 he was brought back by the Brewers on a minor league deal the following April.

After a trade to Baltimore in the middle of the 2013 season, Rodriguez returned to Milwaukee as a free agent and converted 44 of 49 save chances in 2014. Last season, he posted his best ERA since 2010. According to Fangraphs.com, though, Rodriguez threw fastballs on only about 45 per cent of his pitches this year, while throwing a changeup about 43 per cent of the time.