Marlins acquire Fernando Rodney from Padres

The Miami Marlins have acquired right-handed pitcher Fernando Rodney from the San Diego Padres on Thursday, as Keith Law of ESPN.com first reported.

In return for Rodney, the Padres received Chris Paddack, a right-handed pitcher at Class-A Greensboro. The teams have since announced the deal.

The Marlins have been a surprise contender so far this season and are currently 41-37, putting them in place to capture a Wild Card spot if the season ended today. One of their weaknesses, however, has been in the bullpen, and Rodney will help alleviate some of those issues.

Miami’s bullpen includes the likes of A.J. Ramos, David Phelps, and Kyle Barraclough, all of whom have been good this year. Despite their performances, Miami’s bullpen still ranks 10th-worst in the Majors in fWAR, due to the fact that they have a high xFIP.

Rodney, 39, is signed to a one-year, $2 million deal with a team option for 2017. This season, he has been phenomenal in the closer’s role in San Diego.

In 28 ⅔ innings pitched, Rodney has a miniscule 0.31 ERA (1 ER) and an impressive 33 to 12 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He has converted all 17 of his save opportunities.

Rodney’s advanced pitching metrics suggest that he is due for some regression (though it’s hard to sustain a 0.31 ERA) but has still been good nonetheless. Rodney has a 2.32 FIP and a 3.25 xFIP. He also has been worth 0.8 fWAR, putting him 17th in the Majors.

On the Padres’ side of the deal, the addition of Chris Paddack is an interesting one.

The 20-year-old Paddack was an eighth round pick of the Marlins in 2015. This season, he’s been basically unhittable, posting a 0.95 ERA and a 48 to 2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 ⅓ innings pitched at Class-A. He has not allowed a hit in his last three starts, pitching 15 innings (five in each) and posting a 28 to 1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Paddack should help the Padres in their rebuilding efforts, especially if he continues to pitch even close to this as he progresses through the minor leagues.

--Devan Fink

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