Angels to pass on re-signing K-Rod

Nov 13, 2008 - 4:16 AM ANAHEIM, California (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim owner Arte Moreno said the club will not attempt to sign record-setting reliever Francisco Rodriguez, according to his interview with AM-830 radio on Wednesday.

"We're turning the page on this one," Moreno said to the Anaheim, California station when asked if the club still was pursuing K-Rod, who set a major league record with 62 saves in 2008.

"Believe it or not, we really spent a lot of time and effort trying to re-sign Frankie. There were six different offers on the table at different times and, this time last year, we thought we had him signed. Then (Mariano) Rivera got his deal. I'm not one of these never-never people, but I think as a whole, it's time to turn the page and move forward and get to things we need to do."

As a formality, the club will offer Rodriguez arbitration. That would enable the righthander to sign a one-year deal with the Angels in the unlikely event he isn't happy with the offers from other clubs.

The real purpose in offering arbitration is to make the Angels eligible for a first-round draft pick and a sandwich pick after the first round as compensation for losing the 26-year-old.

Moreno also said in the radio interview that the club would consider pursuing Manny Ramirez if it is unable to sign Mark Teixeira, its own free agent.

"(Ramirez) single-handedly took (the Los Angeles Dodgers) to the promised land," Moreno told the station. "For us, Manny hits. He's a clutch guy.

"He did a great job with Boston, and he did a great job with the Dodgers. Some people just hit, whether they're 30, 32 or 37. And I think he's better fitted for the American League because we have the designated hitter."