Francisco Rodriguez to Brewers: Latest Contract Details, Comments, Reaction

It took some time for him to secure a deal in a loaded reliever market, but veteran pitcher Francisco Rodriguez is finally off the market.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, K-Rod and the Milwaukee Brewers have come to terms on a two-year contract:

Heyman also reported that there is a team option for a third year. Per Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers will reportedly pay him $13 million over the two years of the deal.

The 33-year-old Rodriguez will enter the 2015 campaign 10th on the all-time saves list with 348. He is also the record holder for most single-season saves, as he posted a remarkable 62 with the Los Angeles Angels in 2008.  

While K-Rod was long one of the best closers in the game, he spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons as a middle reliever and setup man. He was expected to do the same for the Brewers in 2014, but he ended up seizing the ninth-inning role from the very start.

What resulted was a year that saw Rodriguez go 5-5 with a 3.04 ERA and 44 saves. That was his highest save total since 2008, and it netted him the fifth All-Star nod of his impressive career.

After such a resurgent season, K-Rod made it clear that his preference was to return to the Brew Crew in 2015 and beyond, per Andrew Gruman of Fox Sports Wisconsin:

"

It is not my decision. There are a lot of things the front office has to do over the course of the winter. They know how I feel. My heart is going to always be here. Hopefully this (was not my last season) with the Brewers. Hopefully I'm here a couple of more years.

"

Despite his excellent performance in 2014, K-Rod had to wait for some of the other marquee free-agent relievers to sign. Although he ultimately landed in a good spot, some potential destinations were essentially ruled out while he was in a holding pattern.

Heyman initially viewed the Chicago White Sox as a strong option for Rodriguez since they entered free agency with a need at closer:

They ultimately addressed that in the form of signing former New York Yankees stopper David Robertson to a big contract, however.

Speaking of the Bronx Bombers, Heyman thought they were a logical fit as well even with Dellin Betances and new acquisition Andrew Miller in place:

It was only a matter of time before the veteran righty found a home, and it will certainly be interesting to see the type of role in which he is utilized.

While Rodriguez has primarily been a closer, he has had plenty of experience as a setup man in recent years as well. He has seen and done it all in Major League Baseball, and the fact that he doesn't let big moments get to him makes him extremely valuable.

K-Rod wasn't one of the biggest signings this offseason in terms of money or profile, but there is reason to believe that he will more than live up to his reasonable contract.

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