I'm pretty lukewarm about K-Rod as the closer (I think Henderson if healthy is better), but "below replacement level"? He had a WHIP under 1. As for the idea they are better off using the money for a starter/swingman, you do realize the "long man" in the pen has become a bit of a dinosaur? There's still a few around like former Brewer Carlos Villanueva, but those guys almost never pitch meaningful innings, often sit for a week or 10 days at a time, and as starters are likely worse than the best starters any team has in AAA. Today you rarely see starters not complete at minimum 4 innings even on days where they allow 5-6 runs. To get a quality 6th starter who's a veteran, it'll cost you in the $4-5 million per year range, and all that guy would do on the Brewers would be deny Nelson a spot in the rotation at least until the veteran is exposed come about June. The 2 year thing cuts both ways. I haven't read whether K-Rod got a no-trade clause, but having that second full year, even at $6 million, allows the Brewers the ability to deal him next winter to a team in dire straits for bullpen help should it appear the Brewers have enough depth there.