Diamondbacks sign Fernando Rodney to 1-year, $2.75 million deal

Fernando Rodney and the Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.75 million plus incentives. The Diamondbacks are reportedly handing the 39-year-old Rodney the closer reins, and it will be his job entering Spring Training according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

No stranger to closing, Rodney has saved 261 games over his career—good enough for 32nd all-time. However, as a veteran, Rodney has been somewhat unreliable and shown mixed results.

Over the past two season, Rodney has played for four teams; the Mariners, Cubs, Padres, and Marlins. With the Mariners and Marlins he was well below replacement level, costing a combined loss of 1.3 wins. However, with the Cubs and Padres, he was worth nearly a win above replacement (0.9) by FanGraphs’ estimations. Over the past two season cumulatively then, Rodney has been below replacement level.

Rodney joins a beleaguered Diamondbacks bullpen facing the recent loss of Brad Ziegler to trade, and the possible loss of Daniel Hudson to free agency. Of the potential competitors for saves in the Diamondbacks bullpen, only Jake Barrett, Patrick Corbin, and Enrique Burgos remain. With Corbin likely to compete for a rotation spot in 2017, that really only leaves Barrett—he of five saves in 2016—as the lone competitor. In short, it’s Rodney’s job for the taking in a season that looks to be transitional for new general manager Mike Hazen.