Rumors of Milwaukee being home to the happiest clubhouse in the Major Leagues are apparently unfounded.
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com is reporting today that Brewers’ key midseason acquisition Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez is unhappy in his role as the 8th inning guy, setting the table for the team’s rock-solid closer John Axford.
Quoth K-Rod:
“I’m not fine,” Rodriguez said Tuesday. “They told me I’d have the opportunity to close some games, and we’ve had 20-some save opportunities since then and I haven’t even had one.”
All of this is news to the public, and perhaps most surprisingly, his teammates.
MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy is reporting today that Rodriguez hadn’t discussed his displeasure with him, although in light of his comments the two would be chatting in the near future. Roenicke also announced today – again, this news coming via McCalvy – that should there be a save situation, Rodriguez will get the opportunity to shut the door to give Axford a day of rest. As McCalvy noted, the timing is a bit ironic but then again Axford did throw two innings last night, meaning he’s due for a day of rest.
Still it’s difficult to understand why Rodriguez is speaking out now.
The Brewers are currently at 87-62, tied for the second best record in the National League and closing in on their first division title in 29 years. The combination of Rodriguez and Axford has given the team a formidable one-two punch at the back end of games, allowing the Brewers to essentially shorten them to seven innings as opposed to nine.
Not to mention, Axford has simply been the better pitcher so far this season.
Despite the fact that he hasn’t had a save opportunity since July, K-Rod remains tied for fifth in the league in blown saves with six, putting him one behind teammate Kameron Loe. Axford on the other hand has been dealing, having converted 39 straight and 42-of-44 total opportunities. Simply put, he has been the better option at the end of games for this team.
It might be a minor distraction, but right now this team doesn’t need any at all, especially given the fact that the Cardinals are still (barely) sticking around. When he was acquired, promises or not, K-Rod knew the Brewers already had an established closer in place. And ego or not, he has to know he’s not the same pitcher he was back in 2008 when he broke Bobby Thigpen’s single season saves record.
In all likelihood, Roenicke will have a chat with his star, smooth everything over and it’ll be smooth sailing in the Brew City til October. At which point, boys and girls, that one-two punch is going to have an opportunity to see just how far they can go together.
