NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. – The Diamondbacks appear to have found the veteran closer they wanted in the form of free-agent right-hander Fernando Rodney, who was nearing a deal with them as of late Tuesday night, a source confirmed.
Rodney, who turns 40 in March and has 261 saves in a 14-year big-league career, split time last season between the San Diego Padres and the Miami Marlins. His results with the two clubs were drastically different.
For the Padres, he gave up just one earned run in 28 1/3 innings, converting 17 of 17 save opportunities and compelling the Marlins to give up an intriguing pitching prospect, Chris Paddack, to pry him away in late June.