From Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports comes word that the Mariners are “in on” free agent reliever Fernando Rodney, joining the Mets and the Orioles in the three-team hunt for the 36-year-old right-hander.
Rodney wasn’t nearly as dominant in 2013 as he was in 2012, but he still saved 37 games for the Rays and averaged a career-high 96.5 mph on his fastball while striking out 82 batters in 66 2/3 innings.
Rodney is likely seeking a multi-year contract. If the Mariners sign him, they’ll presumably push projected closer Danny Farquhar into a setup role and make Rodney their primary ninth-inning man. Spring training gets underway in a little over two weeks.
