First, I would like to apologize for the lack of posts recently. With New Year’s Eve, my apartment move, and a stomach virus that ripped through me like Barry Bonds used to rip through a Denny Nagle hanging change-up, I haven’t had much time to do anything recently.

But, my schedule is somewhat clear now and I am ready to roll again. Speaking of rolling, Fernando Rodney is ready to roll from Anaheim to Tampa. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Tampa Bay Rays have signed Rodney to a one-year, $1.75 contract with a $2.5 million option for 2013.

The title of this post is “Have the Tampa Bay Rays found their closer in Fernando Rodney?” and let me just answer that question right now; No. You know you are not of quality when there is no doubt you can’t take the closers job from Kyle Farnsworth.

After compiling a 4.50 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 7.9 BB/9 (not a typo), and a 58 percent Ground Ball Percentage in 32 innings last year with the Angels, Rodney will be a middle relief guy for the Rays in 2012. The Rays have done well with has-been and never-was relief pitchers in the past, so perhaps Rodney will be their latest turnaround project.

Probably not.

You can follow The Baseball Index on Twitter @ baseballindex