Tampa Bay Rays officially sign relief pitcher Fernando Rodney – MLB News
The Tampa Bay Rays has officially signed relief pitcher Fernando Rodney for a one year contract worth $1.75 million with a team option for $2.5 million for the second year.
Earlier it was reported that the Rays have signed the veteran pitcher but it will be revealed officially later in this month.
On his official signing with the Rays on Thursday, Fernando made several commitments and hoped for a better future with Tampa Bay. He also stated that he will play his role in every way possible to bring the consistency in the team and will try his
best to help his team to compete in the next season.
Rodney explained with full self-assurance and said, “I signed for one year with Tampa Bay to keep working hard and see if God gives me something better. I think there is a position. I have faith in God that if you have to fight the post, I'm going
to go. Physically and mentally, I am ready for any role that is handed to me. Whether it's the sixth, seventh, eighth or ninth inning, it doesn't matter. I'm going in with the attitude that whatever the manager wants me to do, that's what I'm going to do.”
Rodney, a Dominican Republic native, has tremendous pitching skills and the upcoming season will be a great season where he can prove his extraordinary throwing skills.
Though, born in relatively a different environment than the United States’ sports loving environment, Rodney still managed to come and play in the biggest and richest baseball league in the world, due to his passion and love for the game.
He was so exceptional in the field that MLB’s international baseball scouts found him as he later was given a Minor League contract by the Detroit Tigers in 1997-98. From there-on, Rodney featured in Detroit’s Major League team in 2002, 2003 and from
2005 to 2009 while playing his last season with the Los Angeles Angels as well.
Now he is starting a new beginning in the Rays’ roster where he will be looking to be more determined in order to take the team forward towards some winning consistency.
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