K-Rod Traded from New York Mets to Milwaukee Brewers

As reported by Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, the New York Mets have traded their star closer Francisco Rodriguez to the Milwaukee Brewers for two players to be named later.  It appears as though the Mets will also be sending cash considerations to the Brewers, presumably to cover at least a portion of Rodriguez's remaining salary.

So far this season, Francisco Rodriguez has converted 23 out of 26 saves opportunities.  He has also compiled 46 strikeouts in 42.2 innings while posting a 3.16 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP.  Although, on the surface, Rodriguez seems to be having a successful run in New York, he has been more than a bit disappointing on occasion for the Mets.

In his first year in New York, the man they call K-Rod tied his career high with seven blown saves.  In his three years in a Mets' uniform, he has posted the two highest ERA and WHIP numbers of his career (including this year).  Rodriguez's strikeouts per nine innings has also declined steadily from his days in Anaheim.

As much as K-Rod has left to be desired on the field, his behavior off of it has been even more erratic.  The closer was charged with assault last summer after an altercation with his girlfriend's father.

The Mets likely chose to trade Rodriguez due to a $17.5 million vesting option that would have come into play if he finished 55 games this season.  Rodriguez has already finished 34 games and the common belief is that the Mets had no interest in paying that amount to Rodriguez for next season.

Milwaukee hopes that Francisco Rodriguez can help shore up their bullpen, which has cost them time and time again this season.  The Brewers are hoping to hold off St. Louis, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, all of whom are within four games of Milwaukee heading into the second half of the season.

Information for this article was used from ESPN.com