MLB Breaking News: Brewers Acquire Former Angels Closer K-Rod from New York Mets

There were scarcely any fingerprints on Prince Fielder's 2011 All-Star MVP trophy when the biggest trade of the 2011 MLB season went down.  Turns out Fielder didn't just add bling to his trophy display.

His Brewers added a dominant closer in Francisco "K-Rod" Rodriguez to their beleaguered bullpen.

In an interview with ESPN, Fielder had this to say about the trade:

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"That is a really big trade. He can really help us, he is a great player. It definitely gives us a spark. We are in first place now and getting him gives us a little more help." 

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The Milwaukee Brewers made a huge splash in the offseason as they acquired the much sought-after Zack Greinke from the Kansas City Royals.  Now with a bullpen that adds K-Rod, the MLB record holder for most saves in a season—62 in 2008 while with the Angels—and a rotation that boasts Greinke at the front and has Shaun Marcum and Yovanni Gallardo as complementary pieces, the Brewers might find themselves as favorites in the NL Central.

The New York Mets, despite a solid month of June where they went 16-11, find themselves 11.5 games out of first place in the NL East.  

K-Rod was a free-agent-to-be and the trade frees up some cash for the Mets to possibly spend in the offseason.  K-Rod inked a three-year, $37 million contract with the Mets after the 2008 season.

The Milwaukee Brewers are currently tied with the St. Louis Cardinals for first place with a 49-43 record.

Few feel that the Brewers will be able to re-sign Prince Fielder in the offseason, as they not only are in a big contract with Greinke, but also signed Ryan Braun through 2020 and will owe the slugging left fielder $150 million over that time period.

Regardless, for the remainder of the season, Fielder—along with Braun—now have a solid closer with immeasurable playoff savvy and an excellent chance of making the playoffs for just the second time since 1982 and the first time since 2008.

The New York Mets will receive cash considerations and two players to be named at a later date in exchange for Rodriguez.