Odds and Ends: Lane, K-Rod, Adam LaRoche

K-Rod will no doubt be looking to be the best paid closer after this season. The big question is... for whom? The Angels will probably make a competitive offer, but let's look at the other possibilities. Let's look at the teams with revenues/payrolls big enough to consider paying $15 mil plus per year for a closer:

1)Yankees - Yanks fans have been putting K-Rod in pinstripes since he helped eliminate them from the playoffs in 2002. But with Rivera under contract for two more years and performing reasonably well, I don't see this happening. Unless of course, either one is willing to step down from the closer role into a setup role, and as strong as that would make the Yanks bullpen, I don't see it.

2)Red Sox - Papelbon's cheaper even in arbitration. Unlikely.

3)Tigers - AH-ha...Possibility number one... Their bullpen's a mess (like the rest of their pitching staff), and they aren't afraid to spend money.

4)Orioles - They sure do like spending money on relievers, don't they? Wouldn't put it past them to show interest, but I don't think so.

5)Dodgers - If K-Rod doesn't stick with the Angels, this may be the best fit, actually. Saito won't last forever, and Broxton hasn't shown the consistency in late innings this season you'd want from a closer. Plus, he'd still be on the West Coast, and Joe Torre has seen first-hand in the past what K-Rod can do to an opposing team.

6)Cubs - Again, they have $ and a winning record, and their bullpen could be made even stronger by moving Kerry Wood into a setup or long relief role and installing K-Rod at closer.

Other possibilities: Diamondbacks, and for some reason I could see the Giants getting involved.

I said this at the end of Spring Training this year and it continues to make sense as things unfold: K-Rod makes a lot of sense for the Rays.

"I think K-Rod is going to be the Rays closer next year. A young, potential hall of fame closer (got an early start on racking up saves and has a realistic chance to be the all time saves leader assuming he stays reasonably healthy) to end games for a young team that's in the process of turning the corner. The Joe Maddon connection also is a selling point. I think the Rays open up the wallet for K-Rod."

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/03/k-rod-wont-nego.html#comment-108806894

"Personally, I don't see him being that dominant for that long but who knows."

The guy is only 26 years old for crying out loud. Not only that, but he has learned how to get guys to ground out. He hasn't had arm problems in the majors and is on pace to set the all time record for saves in a season. His ability isn't going anywhere.

The Angels are stupid to not just hand him a blank contract and let him fill in the numbers. Frankie is a crowd favorite and still dominant. Further, Arredondo isn't even close to the same pitcher and profiles better as a set-up man, particularly given Speier's troubles.