Lakeland, Fla. — The first time Francisco Rodriguez was in a contract year, 2008, he saved 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels.
Of course, he’s played 512 games, faced 2,055 batters and made 222 saves since then — and instead of entering his age-27 season, he’s entering his age-35 season this year.
Needless to say, pitching for a new contract won’t be a distraction for him.
“No,” he said Thursday. “If they ask me this question in 2008, the first time I was a free agent, I might be a little worried about it.