In 2008, Jose Valverde and Francisco Rodriguez combined for 106 saves. Even last year, Valverde saved 35 and K-Rod whiffed a batter per inning. Both relievers are represented by Scott Boras, who tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports he expects to find new teams for the pair soon.
Valverde has lost 18 pounds and is throwing 93 to 95 miles per hour in bullpen sessions, Boras tells Rosenthal. Valverde, 35, averaged 93.4 miles per hour on his fastball last year, but posted a career-worst 6.3 K/9. He's the lone remaining unsigned player among our Top 50 Free Agents. Rodriguez, pitching for the Brewers, received fewer than 20 save opportunities for the first time since 2004. Still just 31, he too could be a useful component in someone's bullpen. I know the Boras Corporation has training facilities and such, but it seems it would have been helpful for both relievers to participate in Spring Training with a team. Rodriguez, at least, recorded seven outs in the World Baseball Classic.
