Orioles pay steep price for K-Rod
By Keith Law | ESPN.com
The Baltimore Orioles' acquisition of Francisco Rodriguez makes some sense, but the price they paid -- third base prospect Nick Delmonico -- for a rental reliever feels excessive, while the Milwaukee Brewers get more than they should have for two months of K-Rod's work.
K-Rod has been an extreme fly ball pitcher this year, working with an average fastball and curveball and above-average changeup. His 1.09 ERA masks a lot of luck on balls in play: his BABIP this year is .250, by far its lowest since 2009 and not sustainable over the long haul. If he doesn't become homer-prone as a fly baller in the AL East, he's a fine middle reliever, worth some fraction of a win over the course of the 20 innings he'll provide to the Orioles -- who could use a little bullpen depth -- over the course of the rest of the season.
Delmonico is probably a top-200 prospect in the minors right now, though not a top-100 guy. He has a solid approach at the plate and above-average power, but also has questions about his position and durability.
The main reason I dislike the move for Baltimore is that giving up a prospect of some value for 20 innings of a middle reliever is poor asset management. Delmonico isn't an elite prospect, but he has a little value because he can hit, has great makeup, and has been familiar in scouting circles since he was a sophomore in high school.
The Orioles might have saved him to include in a trade for a more significant acquisition, and could have stretched Kevin Gausman out in a long relief role if they wished to take some pressure off their bullpen. For the Brewers, it doesn't justify all the money they've spent on K-Rod over the past two years, but it's a more than adequate return for a middle relief rental.
“I’ve always felt that drafting is the life blood of any organization.” - Jerome Alan West.
