MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - The Milwaukee Brewers acquired relief pitcher Francisco Rodriguez and cash from the New York Mets in exchange for two unnamed players, the Major League Baseball clubs said on Tuesday. Rodriguez has 291 career saves over his 10-year career, including a MLB record 62 in 2008 with the Los Angeles Angels.
"Francisco has been one of the best relievers in the game for many years," Brewers general manager Doug Melvin told the team's website (brewers.mlb.com).
"He is a high-quality arm, who will be a tremendous asset to our bullpen as we prepare for the final months of the regular season and playoffs." This season, his third with the Mets, Rodriguez was 2-2 with a 3.16 ERA and 23 saves in 26 appearances. "We thank Frankie for his contributions to the Mets and wish him well with the Brewers," Mets general manager Sandy Alderson told the club's website (newyork.mets.mlb.com).
"This trade allows us to develop and more fully utilize other members of our 2011 bullpen and offers some payroll relief as well."
(Reporting by Mike Mouat in Windsor, Ontario. Editing by Patrick Johnston)
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