Francisco Rodriguez, highly regarded as the top closer on the trade deadline, will not be able to close in Miller Park anymore. He's going to be thrown right into a pennant race, in the AL East for the Baltimore Orioles.
The O's have needed the bullpen depth all season, and may have just gotten what they've needed to be in the mix with the Rays and Red Sox. In return, the Brew Crew will recieve Nicky Delmonico, a 21 year old infielder who was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 draft. He's shown power potential in Class A ball, and proven that he could improve in the future.
Rodriguez, who will be a free agent at the end of the season, has a miniscule 1.09 ERA this season, with 10 saves, in 24 2/3 IP. Jim Johnson is the current closer for Baltimore, who is proven and probably will not lose his job.
The O's made a great trade to help them down the stretch, no doubt. You can feel better about their bullpen with the leadership, and pitching "know-how" of Rodriguez.
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