Door's not closed for Francisco Rodriguez
ANGELS
Agent says record-setting closer 'still has a great fondness for the Angels.'
Though Angels owner Arte Moreno said this week that "it's time to turn the page" on negotiations for Francisco Rodriguez, both General Manager Tony Reagins and the record-setting closer's agent said the door remained open for a possible return to Anaheim.
"There are scenarios where we'd consider bringing Frankie back and scenarios that do not include Frankie," Reagins said. "Nothing has changed from what we've discussed with him."
Rodriguez, who set a major league record with 62 saves this season, is seeking a four- or five-year deal worth about $15 million a year, but the Angels have targeted free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira as their top priority. Reagins said they had not yet made an offer to Teixeira.
Moreno, frustrated that Rodriguez rebuffed "six different offers," including one for three years and $34 million last November, intimated in a radio interview Wednesday that the team had exhausted its pursuit of the 26-year-old right-hander, saying it's time to "move forward and get to things we need to do."
But Paul Kinzer, who represents Rodriguez, said the reliever "still has a great fondness for the Angels. He still considers that home. . . . I can't speak for Arte, but we still feel that the door's open. We were hoping to talk to them later."
Kinzer said four teams contacted him Friday, the first day teams could extend financial offers to free agents other than their own, but none had extended an "official" offer. The New York Mets are expected to be among the bidders for Rodriguez.
Are the Angels Rodriguez's first choice?
"I haven't talked to Frankie about that," Kinzer said. "Normally, and I've experienced this with other players, making a move from a team you've been with your whole career can be tough."
Staff writer Dylan Hernandez contributed to this report.
DiGiovanna is a Times staff writer
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
