K-RODS Quest For "Mariano Rivera Money"

As Francisco Rodriguez closes in on Bobby Thigpen's single season saves record and subsequent quest for “Mariano River Money”, let’s take a look at the debate that will surely pick up as he closes in on the record and heads into free agency.  The numbers actually support that he may be overrated and irrational in believing he deserves $15 million per season.

It is inevitable that Francisco will surpass Thigpen’s 57 saves, which is fine for the record books but statistically speaking he is not even the most productive closer in the game today.  Francisco does not lead the top five in any positive statistical areas other than saves. 

For the sake of argument I have broken down the top 5 saves leaders in all of Major League Baseball.  Looking at those 5, Francisco is currently leading the league with 47.  The next best is Joakim Soria at 33 saves, followed by Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon , and Brian Wilson, who all come into today’s action with 32 saves each.  A margin of 14 saves, at first glance would normally dismiss the overrated argument until you look at the save opportunities, where Francisco has had 16 more opportunities than Papelbon, and 17 more than Soria, Nathan, and Wilson.  In this same sample, Francisco’s WHIP ranks third and he has walked 29 batters in just 51 innings, not mention 2 losses and 5 blown saves.  By comparison it could be argued that Francisco’s dominance in his quest for the single season saves record is more a byproduct of being handed more leads than anyone other relief pitcher, including a one out save with a four run lead.  All of this has been achieved while not even averaging an inning per game. 

As for the quest for “Mariano Rivera Money”, Francisco Rodriguez has been in the league for 6 seasons and in that time has increased his salary from $312,500.00 to a very generous $10,000,000.00 per season.  This is an average annual salary of more than $3.6 million.  By comparison Mariano Rivera’s salary over the same progression averaged $2.1 million, not hitting the $10 million dollar mark until his ninth major league season. 

Mariano Rivera has been in the league 14 years and has established himself as one of, if not, the best closers in the history of the game.  A side by side comparison shows that Francisco’s quest for “Mariano Rivera Money” is a bit premature and unrealistic after just 6 seasons, having amassed just a fraction of the numbers.   This also does not include any comparisons to Trevor Hoffman, who incidentally is making “only” $7 million dollars per year

		W	L	ERA	G	SV	SVO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	HBP	BB	SO	WHIP
Rivera	Regular Season	66	49	2.3	837	471	531	1008	795	280	259	53	37	243	921	1.03
	Post Season	8	1	0.8	76	34	39	117	72	12	10	2	3	16	93	0.752
Rodriguez	Regular Season	23	16	2.4	389	193	224	434	288	127	117	34	6	193	567	1.108
	Post Season	5	3	2.8	19	3	5	29.1	22	12	9	4	1	12	39	1.168

Along with Hoffman, Mariano’s career statistics are legendary.  Francisco and other young relievers in the game should aspire to have such long and successful careers.  Only after such longevity and success should Francisco put his own price tag on his value, especially when the statistics do not support the demands being made.