Brewers agree to terms with K-Rod

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILWAUKEE -- The Brewers and reliever Francisco Rodriguez have agreed to an US$8 million, one-year deal, avoiding arbitration.

Rodriguez, who had an $11.5 million salary last year, can make $625,000 in performance bonuses based on games finished: $125,000 each for 15, 20 and 25, and $250,000 for 30.

Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the team intends to keep Rodriguez rather than listening to trade proposals.

"I haven't necessarily looked at offers to trade him," Melvin said. "My outlook has always been that he's part of this club."

K-Rod arrived in Milwaukee in a trade with the New York Mets in July and pitched primarily in a setup role for closer John Axford of Simcoe, Ont. He made 31 appearances for the Brewers, going 4-0 with a 1.86 earned-run average.

"We feel very good about having him and Axford, and having them the whole year," Melvin said. "We only had them half the season last year."

Overall last season, Rodriguez was 6-2 with a 2.64 ERA. He had 23 saves, all with the Mets.

Rodriguez could have pursued free-agent opportunities as a closer in the off-season, but instead accepted the Brewers' arbitration offer. Rodriguez has 291 saves.