Report: Braves, Rodriguez agree to 2-year deal
The Atlanta Braves' busy front office didn't take a break for Thanksgiving, as the club reportedly agreed Thursday to a two-year deal with veteran utility man Sean Rodriguez, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, citing multiple sources.
The deal, pending a physical, is worth a total of $11.5 million, with Rodriguez getting a $1.5-million signing bonus and $5 million in each of the next two seasons, reports Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
Rodriguez, who turns 32 in April, enjoyed the finest season of his nine-year career in 2016, managing 1.9 WAR while smashing 18 homers with an .859 OPS (126 OPS+) over 140 games with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He spent time at every defensive position except catcher, and logged at least 100 innings at shortstop, second base, first base, and right field.
Though the Braves may be inclined to play Rodriguez every day following his impressive 2016 campaign, he will likely be a role player once again, potentially serving as a right-handed hitting platoon partner to second baseman Jace Peterson and right fielder Nick Markakis, as well.
Rodriguez, who owns a .693 OPS (91 OPS+) since making his MLB debut in 2008, is the third notable offseason addition for the rebuilding Braves, who also signed knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon earlier this month.