Baseball is a crazy game. The Mets traded an All-Star closer for a pair of future insurance salesmen and still had to pay $5 million. Nonetheless, the subtraction amounts to addition.
Milwaukee demonstrated that they are all-in this year by snatching K-Rod as their set-up man. Teaming with closer John Axford, who's converted 20 straight saves, he completes an impressive end-game tandem. Brewer starters -- are you listening Zack Greinke, Shawn Marcum and Yovanni Gallardo? -- who make it through seven frames will leave their starts in good hands.
Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin won't feel any compunction about preventing K-Rod from reaching the 55 game finishes that would vest him for an insane $17.5 million option. Mets GM Sandy Alderson, meanwhile, gets a pail-load of credit for auditioning his judgment-impaired reliever and then shipping him off for a couple of farmhands with little pedigree. The salary relief will save some of the Wilpons' money for the costly Jose Reyes re-up and draft signings necessary to rebuild the organization. It's not like the Mets were going to compete for a playoff spot this year.
In summary, Rodriguez gains a pennant race but loses the big payday; the Mets save a pile of cash at no cost, and if one of the minor leaguers grows up to be a major leaguer, so much the better. The Brew Crew adds a win or two to the second-half ledger, which might be just enough to slip into the post-season.
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