Rodney joining Twins’ bullpen
The Associated Press pitcher Fernando Rodney and the Minnesota Twins agreed to a $4.5 million, one-year contract, bringing an experienced, three-time all-star closer to a bullpen in need of a ninthinning specialist.
The deal was reached Thursday during Major League Baseball’s winter meetings, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the agreement had not yet been announced by the Twins.
Rodney, a right-hander, turns 41 years old March 18 and will be in his 16th major-league season in 2018. Well-known for firing an imaginary arrow to celebrate the final out of wins, he posted 39 saves in 45 chances this year for Arizona. He was 5-4 with a 4.23 ERA, striking out 65 batters and walking 26 in 55L innings.
For his career, Rodney is 4463 with 300 saves in 828 relief appearances for Detroit (200203 and 2005-09), the Los Angeles Angels (2010-11), Tampa Bay (2012-13), Seattle (2014-15), the Chicago Cubs (2015), San Diego (2016), Miami (2016) and the Diamondbacks this year.
Matt Belisle closed for the Twins over the final two months of last season, after Brandon Kintzler was traded to Washington on July 31. Belisle became a free agent, and the returning in-house candidates for the back of the Twins’ bullpen are all young and relatively unproven, with Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger, John Curtiss and Alan Busenitz among them.
Also, the Twins selected right-handed pitcher Tyler Kinley from the Marlins on Thursday in the major-league phase of the Rule 5 draft.
The 26-year-old Kinley posted a 3.54 ERA with 72 strikeouts in a total of 53L innings pitched for Single-A Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville.
Piscotty dealt to A’s.
Stephen Piscotty was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Oakland Athletics for two infield prospects, allowing the outfielder to be near his family’s home in Pleasanton, Calif. His mother has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Astros acquire Smith.
Righthander Joe Smith and the World Series champion Houston Astros agreed to a $15 million, two-year contract.
The 33-year-old Smith will receive $7 million next year and $8 million in 2019.
• The Astros added former big-league outfielder Anthony Gose, hoping he can develop as a left-handed pitcher.
Rangers acquire Tocci.
The Texas Rangers acquired outfielder Carlos Tocci from the Chicago White Sox and signed infielder Hanser Alberto and right-hander Kevin Jepsen to minor-league contracts, with invitations to major-league spring training.
Tocci batted .294 with three home runs and 52 RBIs in 130 minor-league games in the Philadelphia farm system last season.
Tigers draft Reyes.
The Detroit Tigers selected Victor Reyes in the Rule 5 draft of players left off 40-man rosters.
The Tigers claimed the outfielder from the Diamondbacks. He must stay on the majorleague roster all season and be active for at least 90 days, or be offered back to Arizona.