Rodney serves as team's closer at end of '08 season
DETROIT -- The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a contract for the 2009 season with righthanded pitcher Fernando Rodney and outfielder Marcus Thames, thus avoiding arbitration with both players.
Rodney registered a career-high 13 saves in 38 appearances for the Tigers in 2008 as he served as the club’s closer over the season’s final two months.
He compiled a 4.91 ERA (40.1IP/22ER), while fanning 49 batters and limiting opponents to a .224 batting average (34x152). Rodney has compiled a 4.25 ERA (254.1IP/120ER) and 33 saves in 235 outings during his major league career, fanning 253 batters and holding opponents to a .239 batting average (230x964).
Thames hit .241 (76x316) with 12 doubles, 25 home runs and 56 RBI in 103 games for the Tigers in 2008. In five seasons with the Tigers, he is batting .243 (293x1295) with 61 doubles, 86 home runs and 219 RBI in 398 games. Thames is fourth among all American League players with a minimum of 1,000 plate appearances since the start of the 2006 season with a home run once every 13.52 at-bats (933AB/69HR).
