K-Rod is Not Even the Best Closer This Year, Let Alone Cy Young Material

Frankie Rodriguez had a great year. He broke the record for most saves in a season with 62. The previous record was held by Bobby Thigpen of The 1990 Chicago White Sox with 57. Many people feel that Frankie deserves consideration for the Cy Young award. I am not one of those people. Cliff Lee, in my opinion, deserves the award.

As a matter of fact, Frankie Rodriguez was not even the best closer in the AL this year.

That distinction should go to Joakim Soria of The Kansas City Royals.

Here are a few reasons why:

Save %:

• Soria saved 42-45 opportunities-93.3%.
• K-Rod 62-69 – 89.8%

E.R.A:

• Soria 1.60 vs. K-Rod 2.24

WHIP:

• Soria 0.86 vs. K-Rod 1.29

I would agree that the record K-Rod set will stand for a while, but he also had 13 more opportunities to save games. Although Soria would still not have more saves than K-Rod, he would’ve had a better opportunity to save more of a percentage of his teams wins.

K-Rod saved 62-100 wins – 62%

Soria saved 42-75 wins – 56%

Aside from the save total itself K-Rod did nothing spectacular this year. As a matter of fact this year was his lowest K total in his career and also his highest WHIP of his career.

Meanwhile Cliff Lee was 22-3, a slightly higher ERA at 2.54 and a lower WHIP at 1.11.

He also won 27.2% (22-81 wins)of his teams games which is more than anyone in baseball(second would be Brandon Webb 26.8% 22-82). And lastly, of all the teams with records of .500 or worse in the AL, Lee is the only starter to win more than 15(Padilla,Tex and Meche,KC each had 14).

Frankie Rodriguez did have a memorable year. But we should put it into perspective.

As a side note, warning to the team who signs K-Rod to a long term deal this offseason.

Bobby Thigpen was only 26 also when he saved 57 games in 1990. His career ended in 1994 only 54 saves later.