Former star reliever Francisco Rodriguez is plotting another MLB comeback attempt, he tells Venezuelan journalist Guillermo Arcay (Instagram links; h/t Evan Woodberry of MLive.com).
That’ll be a tall order for a 38-year-old who hasn’t touched the majors since 2017. But Rodriguez is setting his sights higher still.
It seems that part of the motivation here for K-Rod is the possibility of burnishing his Hall-of-Fame resume. If possible, he says, he’d like to meet or exceed Lee Smith in total saves … which would mean adding another 41 to an already impressive tally of 437, fourth-most in MLB history.
Sound implausible? Well, it’s hard to come to a different conclusion. It’s not even clear precisely how Rodriguez would launch a new effort in the current climate of uncertainty. But he suggests he has already considered and rejected that line of thinking.
Rodriguez isn’t taking this lightly. He acknowledges he’ll have to earn another shot at the majors. And he’s certainly familiar with the difficulties of a late-career comeback, having tried for years already to launch one.
The last time Rodriguez appeared in the affiliated ranks, things didn’t go well. He turned in a brutal showing with the Tigers in 2017, leading to his release. The Nats gave him a brief look in the minors but weren’t impressed. Rodriguez spent the ensuing spring with the Phillies but didn’t make the team and was cut loose.
Rodriguez has since pitched for the indy ball Long Island Ducks and Mexican League’s Acereros de Monclova. Though he was reasonably effective in both stints, the once-great hurler didn’t show enough to prompt renewed interest from MLB clubs.
Even if he isn’t able to build it further, Rodriguez has already compiled a case for Cooperstown. He may not have logged quite as many saves as Trevor Hoffman, but the two put up awfully similar careers. K-Rod owns a 2.86 ERA in 976 innings over 16 seasons, while Hoffman hung ’em up with a 2.87 ERA in 1,089 1/3 frames through 18 campaigns.
Tagged the wrong Francisco Rodriguez
What do you expect, the writers are not perfect
It tags the players links automatically when they type out the article. Also why is this a big deal to you? Do you feel some sense of accomplishment for pointing out a minor flaw?
I’m pretty sure he was trying to let them know so they could correct it. Seems like a nice guy
Here’s the real link for anyone interested: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rodrifr03.shtml
Hey @qbert1996. My comment definitely comes off as rude, it’s just blunt I probably sound like a knowitall jerk. But I wasn’t trying to be. I commented right away just so maybe the writer could see and change before others saw. If I could just send him and email instead I would. Thanks Steve.
But sure. I do feel a sense of accomplishment just that I felt like just being early to let someone know to only try and help. I think that is natural. Either way all and all I apologize if I came off that way. All and all we are all here cuz we love baseball and hey cool story of guys who love baseball and story like k rod working his butt of to attempt something like this. Hope he makes a great story and comes back and has a good year.
we all make mistakes……..
some with spelling
some with misjudging people
some with job projects
some with marrying the wrong person.
some who like the Mets !
That last one was perfect.
Wrong Francisco
I think a closer match would be John Franco. Both very good relievers but neither belong in hall.
Though both likely better than sutter smith and fingers
it astounds me that Fingers is in but so many other great RPs arent.
It shouldn’t astound you about Fingers. How many relievers have 300+ saves, 100+ wins, sub 3 ERA, MVP, CYA and 1700 innings pitched?
Rollie Fingers was the Man back then….he pitched many 3 innings of work to get a Save……….not 1/3 of an inning and be in the HOF like Eckersley.
if Fingers were a soldier his chest would be covered in medals, he belongs in the Hall absolutely no question about it
Angels should’ve paid him. He was a part of their identity, which they quickly lost by foolishly letting go of him, Lackey, and Vladdy within a one year span.
Ryan, you do realize they used that pick to get Trout… right?
They might have gotten him anyway, with the Texiera pick, but had he signed, they would have exposed Trout to the Mets.
Yeah but who’d really rather have Mike Trout over Francisco Rodriguez?
3 years ago, I was bartending near San Diego, CA. A lazy Sunday afternoon. An older guy comes in, just to use the bathroom. It was all time pitching appearance leader Jesse Orosco.
He was happy to be recognized, especially away from New York. I asked him if he felt his record was safe. He was excited. “Oh yeah, I mean, Francisco Rodriguez has a lot of appearances, but he…” Orosco didn’t want to talk smack.
I tried to talk him into a beer, but I guess a lot has changed since 1986. The all time leader in relief appearances came in to relieve himself!
You may not have been able to talk him into a beer but if you need some pitching pointers for your beer league team, head over to Frozen Ropes SD (https://www.frozenropes.com/sandiego/staff/).
C’mon Now! Comparing 602 and #2 in All Time Saves Hall of Famer Trevor Hoffman to Francisco Rodriguez and his 400+ Saves is ludicrous!
KRod May be Deserving for the Hall of Fame.
However, KRod is almost 200 Saves behind Hoffman All Time.
Trevor Hoffman is closer to Mariano Rivera in Saves
Than Krod.
Wow!
Keep in mind that K-Rod went a handful of years where he wasn’t closing for Milwaukee and Baltimore, and instead being utilized as a setup man. If he had been used as a closer he very easily could have finished with 500+ career saves.
Colon & K-Rod comebacks in one day?! Wooooo throwbacks!
This is the one year that could happen if rosters expand to 50. I’m not sure how exactly that will work, active roster or roster + taxi squad.
“I know I tried this before and failed, but I’m older now, so it should go better…”
come back to Philly! we wolnt pass over you again
I’d love to see him thrown in the Braves pen with Green, Melancon, and company.
Why?
The man that led to the Angels getting Mike Trout.
Hall of Fame… lol…
is he a hall of Famer?? and if so would he go in as an angel ?
I don’t think he is,but he’d have to go in as an angel. He wasn’t anywhere else very long. His lights out years were there. He was good for the Mets, but not automatic.
He pitched well in his three separate stunts with the Brewers but I agree he should go in as an Angel if inducted