The Seattle Mariners have been privy to closer Fernando Rodney's high-wire act for some time now, but two recent ninth-inning meltdowns has in him on "thin ice" when it comes to holding onto the team's ninth-inning job, per Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
According to Stone, manager Lloyd McClendon's "loyalty" to the charismatic Rodney could be tested if he continues to struggle like he did last week:
McClendon has some options at his disposal. Danny Farquhar and Tom Wilhelmsen (currently on the disabled list) have closing experience, and youngster Carson Smith has closer's stuff. So, it seemed last year, did Dominic Leone.
Rodney has shown he has closer's stuff and a closer's mentality. With his tilted hat and arrow-shooting celebration, he's one of the most compelling figures on the team. And now he has become the most polarizing.
The best solution for the Mariners would be for Rodney to work himself out of his troubles, and do so by the time his next save opportunity arrives. If not, McClendon's sense of loyalty, and fans' sanity, will be severely tested.
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