Francisco Rodriguez

The Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a deal that will send Francisco Rodriguez to Baltimore in exchange for INF Nick Delmonico.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports first reported the trade that will ship arguably the best closer on the trading block to the AL East contender.

The Baltimore Orioles have filled one of their biggest needs, acquiring former All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for infield prospect Nick Delmonico. The Orioles announced this via their official Twitter feed:

Francisco Rodriguez, arguably the most sought-after reliever of the 2013 MLB trade deadline, is officially off the market.

Although spring training is just under way, there are still a number of quality free agents available who could have a big impact with a team.

As we head into the dog days of August, Jays fans are just now starting to get excited over the prospects of this team.

Usually around this time of year, it's the lull in the schedule where teams usually just try and play out the string until September, but for the Jays, things look completely different.

The Jays are fighting game in and game out, and are 57-55 in 102 games this season. The team was expected to maybe win at most 75 games this season, so they are definitely ahead of expectations.

Every baseball season, at least a few "name" players switch teams via trade.

These players are known to even the most casual of fans because they have appeared in All-Star Games and competed for major awards in the past.

At the time of the trade, their level of skill can fall into any number of categories.  

Many are former stars and heroes who now find themselves in the fading light of their careers; still in search of that elusive World Series ring. Lance Berkman and Kerry Wood were dealt separately to the Yankees last year in an attempt to reach that goal.

In the early going to the 2011 season Terry Collins has had trouble managing the Mets bullpen because of the ineffectiveness of just about every pitcher in it. The problems started from the get go with a blown save in the second game of the year by closer Francisco Rodriguez and seems to have had a trickle down affect on everyone else.

This past Friday, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder/designated hitter Manny Ramirez abruptly retired.  He had been batting .059 in six games.  It was later revealed that he had once again tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and was facing a 100-game suspension.  Instead of going through with the suspension, the controversial outfielder chose to end his career.

September 24, 2008: Francisco Rodriguez notches his single-season-record-setting 62nd save.

December 10, 2008: New York Mets ink K-Rod to a three-year $37 million contract.

Coming off the best year a closer has ever had, Mets fans felt that the transition from Billy Wagner was going to be seamless.

Unfortunately, the 2009 season was far from what the fans expected from Rodriguez.

I was a little bummed to go onto Metsblog today to see that Rich Coutinho had stole my thunder by saying he thinks the Mets are an 85 win team. Right now I have them penciled in for 85 wins minimum with a chance for a little more and a possible wild card push.