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Free Agent Stock Watch: Arthur Rhodes

By Tim Dierkes [November 22, 2010 at 9:34am CST]

Two years ago the Reds took a gamble on 39-year-old lefty Arthur Rhodes, signing him to a two-year, $4MM deal. Last we read, interest was mutual on a new contract. Still, let's examine Rhodes' free agent stock.

The Good

Since returning to the National League at the 2008 trade deadline, Rhodes has a 2.22 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and 0.52 HR/9 in 121 2/3 innings across 160 appearances. He's allowed only 86 hits in that time.
Rhodes dominated lefties this year in 23 2/3 innings, and was solid against them the previous two seasons. His consistent ability to prevent them from getting hits is not credited in a stat like xFIP.
Rhodes has been around since 1991, so he should offer the intangible of veteran wisdom.

The Bad

Rhodes is a Type A free agent. We'll know late tomorrow whether the Reds offer arbitration. If Rhodes turns down such an offer, a new team would have to surrender a draft pick to sign him. This could hurt his market quite a bit.
Rhodes turned 41 last month, which may give teams pause if he seeks a two-year deal.
He doesn't get many groundballs. That hasn't stopped him from preventing home runs, but some clubs could be concerned. Also, Rhodes is ordinary against right-handed hitters.
ESPN's Keith Law wasn't kind in his relievers buyer's guide, saying Rhodes' stuff was diminished toward the end of the year and he is "a bad month away from a forced retirement." Would he succeed back in the American League? In Rhodes' defense, he dealt with a sore foot for much of the season.

The Verdict

Rhodes' Type A designation could prevent him from getting another two-year deal. If the Reds offer arbitration, his best move might be to accept rather than try to score a contract elsewhere with the draft pick stigma attached. He'd still be in pretty good shape with a potential $4MM salary for 2011. If the Reds do not offer arbitration, I think Rhodes will get another two-year deal.