Baker Wants Rodriguez, So Long As He's The Old "K-Rod"
WASHINGTON (AP) — Dusty Baker would love for his Washington Nationals to add reliever Francisco Rodriguez — so long as K-Rod can replicate the form that made him a six-time All-Star.
Amid reports Monday that the Nationals may sign the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal, Baker said only that he had taken "calls from various people" about him and that nothing was official.
Does Washington's manager want the 35-year-old for his struggling bullpen?
"It depends if he's still K-Rod," Baker said. "That's what it boils down to. I'll take Sandy Koufax, but he may not be the same Sandy Koufax."
The Nationals could use a steadying presence among their relievers, who entered a game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday with the NL's third-worst ERA at 4.88.
Rodriguez is fourth on the career saves list with 437, but he was released by the Detroit Tigers on Friday after posting a 7.82 ERA in 25 1/3 innings.
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