Rodney to the Rays

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Reliever Fernando Rodney agreed to a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.

A source requesting anonymity said the deal is worth US$2 million and includes a club option for 2013.

Rodney was 3-5 with three saves and a 4.50 ERA in 32 appearances with the Los Angeles Angels last season. He could fill a setup role or compete with Kyle Farnsworth for the closer's job.

Over parts of nine seasons with the Angels and Detroit Tigers, Rodney is 22-38 with 87 saves and a 4.29 ERA in 419 career appearances. The right-hander turns 35 in March.

Rodney joins a team that reconstructed nearly the entire bullpen last winter. He had a career-best 37 saves for the Tigers in 2009, but was less effective as a closer over the past two seasons with the Angels.

With Farnsworth earning a career-high 25 saves in 31 opportunities, the Rays made the playoffs for the third time in four seasons. The right-hander was hampered in September by tenderness in his pitching elbow.

But the addition of Rodney will give manager Joe Maddon someone who can fill the closer role on days that Farnsworth is not available.

Rodney signed an $11-million, two-year contract with Los Angeles as a free agent after the 2009 season. He was 7-8 with 17 saves in 28 opportunities with the Angels.