K-Rod Headed To Mets, Angels Consider Options

Last season he set a major league record with 62 saves, but the Angeles have their eyes focused over at first base.

So Francisco Rodriguez is off to the Mets, set to sign a three-year, $37 million offer (with a vesting deal for a fourth year at $14 million if certain goals are met). Interestingly, that base deal just a fraction more than the three-year, $34 million the Angels offered him last winter, one that Rodriguez turned down.

Now he’s gone, and the Angels have to look at other players to close out the game.

"We feel we have options internally and opportunities to improve our bullpen, whether it be by trade or free agency," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said.

Those internal options are Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo, the two men who thrived in the set up role or K-Rod. Or, they could go get a less-expensive closer off the free agent market. But that is not the priority right now.

With K-Rod gone the Angels should have a little more money for other free agents. Reagins said the team’s top priority is keeping slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira, even though they haven’t made an offer yet according to the Los Angeles Times. As a backup plan, they have had some preliminary conversations about CC Sabathia agent Greg Genske.

But none of that is moving fast. Negotiations with all the top free agents have been slowed this year, due in large part to the national economic problems.

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