The trade deadline is still eighteen days away, but the Mets and Brewers were able to hammer out the final details of baseball's first big trade. Just minutes after the National League won the All-Star Game, SI's Jon Heyman tweeted this:
↵↵↵Krod plus cah goes to milw for 2 players to be named later
↵
Heyman broke the story and then various reports came in regarding the two players and the amount of money being sent to Milwaukee to cover Rodriguez's salary. After some debate, we learned the Mets would have their choice of two players from a list of several prospects by a date to-be-determined in September. New York will also be sending $5MM to Milwaukee.
↵The trade makes sense for both sides. While the Mets lose their closer, they shed payroll and don't run the risk of K-Rod's ludicrous $16.5MM vesting option kicking in for 2012. The Brewers improve their bullpen, and assuming Rodriguez doesn't finish out 21 more games (that's when the vesting option vests), can be free of the reliever after this season.
↵There hasn't been word on if Rodriguez will accept a set-up role in Milwaukee, but it's highly unlikely the club would replace talented closer John Axford. The Mets did not need Rodriguez's approval to make the deal.
↵The stove is heating up, folks. Stay tuned...