You know, it’s fine form to look up to the greats. LAA closer Francisco Rodriguez is doing just that in trying to emulate the greatest closer ever in Mariano Rivera. But it’s not his pitching style he wants to copy, it’s his paycheck. K-Rod wants to try to net almost $15 million a year over the next 5 years… at least. We say that because his agent refused to to name a final price for the reliever, who notched a league record 62 saves this year. Some people think that’s a ploy to get him to only get bids from big-market teams because the pitcher has gotten used to big city livin’.

The Angels are expected to be joined in the derby by the Mets, who presumably have lost closer Billy Wagner for 2009 with an elbow injury that necessitated Tommy John surgery. Several other teams have been mentioned as being interested, including the Cardinals and Indians. But the steep price may limit the serious suitors to big-market teams. Some baseball people believe K-Rod more easily envisions himself in a big city, anyway.

Well la-di-frickin’-da, aren’t we Mr. Fancy Pants now? Hey, if St. Louis is good enough for the likes of Albert Pujols and… um… okay, just put him in a Mets uniform now.

Agent: K-Rod seeking record deal [SI.com]
Image [LA Times]