Detroit Tigers: Three Potential Francisco Rodriguez Trades

Other Potential Trade Partners

With so many closers on the market, there are bound to be teams who strike out on the top tier of free agents who still need someone to pitch the ninth. Here are some of those teams.

Los Angeles Dodgers

The Dodgers have plenty of effective late inning arms, with the likes of Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Luis Avilan, Josh Fields and Grant Dayton all serving as worthy setup options to Kenley Jansen. However, if Jansen departs via free agency, the team will need a new closer.

San Francisco Giants

While the Dodgers could potentially lose Kenley Jansen to free agency, their division rivals face the possibility of seeing Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Javier Lopez depart. They’ll need replacements if they want to contend for a World Series next season.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Angels bullpen isn’t exactly the best. The team finished 28^th in saves and WAR, they could clearly use the help.

While Cam Bedrosian, Jose Alvarez, Deolis Guerra and J.C. Ramirez all turned in encouraging seasons, the team needs a closer. Huston Street’s FIP ballooned to 6.42 last season, and a reunion with Rodriguez would certainly make sense.

Anaheim doesn’t have much in the way of prospects, but they certainly have a need.

St. Louis Cardinals

This is probably the most unlikely option of the bunch. Whether St. Louis needs a new closer is dependent on whether Seung-hwan Oh hits free agency or stays with the team. The Cardinals do have Trevor Rosenthal and Jonathan Broxton as options, but they might seek an upgrade if Oh leaves.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Like the Angels, the Diamondbacks didn’t have the best campaign last season. Arizona’s relief pitchers ranked 26^th in WAR, 27^th in ERA and saves and 28^th in FIP.

Next: Pros, Cons of Dealing Francisco Rodriguez

Rodriguez would bring a calming presence to a group that lost Brad Ziegler and Tyler Clippard to mid-season trades and is about to potentially lose Daniel Hudson to free agency.