Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - The New York Mets have apparently offered right-handed reliever Francisco Rodriguez a two-year deal worth less than $24 million.
The New York Daily News believes that the initial offer is just a starting point, but the team appeared confident that they would not have to extend past three years because they couldn't identify a serious competitor.
New York, which also met with representatives of Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes, is in desperate need of a closer with Billy Wagner expected to be sidelined for most, if not all, of 2009.
Rodriguez set the single-season saves record this past year, saving 62 games for the AL West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He was also 2-3 with a 2.24 earned run average, while striking out 77 batters in 68 1/3 innings.
Since assuming the closer's role from Troy Percival in 2005, Rodriguez has saved 40 or more games for the Angels in each of the last four years.
Rodriguez burst upon the scene late in the 2002 campaign for the Angels, pitching in five games for them down the stretch. However, he thrived in the postseason that year, going 5-1, while surrendering four earned runs and striking out 28 in 18 2/3 innings.