Today at the science class we watched a movie called Research Reflection and the magic school bus
Summary
What happened in the story
They all went to the Arnold's mouth
What was the story talking about
The story was talking about that They all went to the Arnold'mouth
2 things that were correct
(One thing that was correct is When you eat something the thing will go trough your thort and the thort will push the food down.)
(Another thing that is correct is When the food went to Small intestine the Small intestine Will Absorption it. )
2 things that was not correct
(One thing that was not correct is The food will not bring back to the stomatch)
(Another thing that was not correct is They didn't draw the lungs)
Monday, December 15, 2008
Research Reflection and The Magic School Bus
Research Reflection
For the pas MONTH we have been researching body systems on our own.
One thing is good about doing this thing is
I think is good thing is Doing body system we can research the internet and learn how to find the imformation by ourself and how to research about the things hat we need to find.
One thing That I don't like to do about this thing is
Some Body system question is hard and I can't find the exaclly point in the internet even in the book.
I think Ms. Smith plan in this way because
Ms.Smith want us to learn more how to research and how to find the answer by ourself.
One suggestions that I have for Ms.Smith is
I think Ms.Smith should let us learn more body system that we are doing so we can understand more and be more clear in the body system.
Another suggestions that I have for Ms.Smith is
I hope that We can everyone have a book and find in the book because Internet is the answer only with no reazon and even Not all is about the question point and I think the book is more better fr thebody system reasearch.
For the pas MONTH we have been researching body systems on our own.
One thing is good about doing this thing is
I think is good thing is Doing body system we can research the internet and learn how to find the imformation by ourself and how to research about the things hat we need to find.
One thing That I don't like to do about this thing is
Some Body system question is hard and I can't find the exaclly point in the internet even in the book.
I think Ms. Smith plan in this way because
Ms.Smith want us to learn more how to research and how to find the answer by ourself.
One suggestions that I have for Ms.Smith is
I think Ms.Smith should let us learn more body system that we are doing so we can understand more and be more clear in the body system.
Another suggestions that I have for Ms.Smith is
I hope that We can everyone have a book and find in the book because Internet is the answer only with no reazon and even Not all is about the question point and I think the book is more better fr thebody system reasearch.
A New Director for ‘Twilight’ Sequel
Summit Entertainment has named Chris Weitz (“The Golden Compass”) to direct the sequel to “Twilight” after it parted ways with Catherine Hardwicke, who directed the first film in the franchise based on the four-book series by Stephenie Meyer, Variety reported. When Ms. Hardwicke’s exit was announced last week, Ms. Meyer’s fans were disappointed enough to prompt Ms. Meyer to post a message on her Web site (stepheniemeyer.com) on Saturday. “First of all, like you, I’m sad that Catherine is not continuing on with us for ‘New Moon,’ ” Ms. Meyer wrote. But she went on to extol the virtues of the new director: “I think he brings a lot to the table, not the least of which for me is that he wrote the screenplay for and directed one of my favorite movies of all time, ‘About a Boy.’ ” Ms. Meyer’s posting was followed by a note from Mr. Weitz to fans, assuring them he would do his best to live up to their expectations. “New Moon” is tentatively scheduled for release late next year or early 2010. Melissa Rosenberg, the “Twilight” screenwriter, is also writing the sequel.
Shrek musical opens on Broadway
A musical adaptation of the animated blockbuster Shrek has opened on Broadway in New York.
Tony-nominated actor Brian d'Arcy James plays the green ogre with a heart of gold, with Tony-winning actress Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona.
Stars including Cameron Diaz, who voices Fiona in the film franchise, Ben Stiller and Joan Rivers attended the show's opening performance.
A fourth Shrek film is scheduled to be released in 2010.
Dynamics and chemistry
Shrek the musical
Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig
Asked whether she'd consider portraying Fiona on stage, Diaz said: "No, absolutely not. What they do up there... is, to me, impossible. It's wonderful, though."
"It's great to see all of the actors playing it together because when we do it for the animated we never see each other," she said.
"We don't work with one another - we all record separately and then they put it all together so you don't really get the dynamics and chemistry that you get with other actors... it's a lot of fun to watch."
Shrek, based on the children's book by William Steig, is one of the most successful animated films of all time and tells the story of an ogre who falls in love.
Diaz will reprise her voice role in the fourth Shrek film, alongside Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, who return as Shrek and Donkey respectively.
Tony-nominated actor Brian d'Arcy James plays the green ogre with a heart of gold, with Tony-winning actress Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona.
Stars including Cameron Diaz, who voices Fiona in the film franchise, Ben Stiller and Joan Rivers attended the show's opening performance.
A fourth Shrek film is scheduled to be released in 2010.
Dynamics and chemistry
Shrek the musical
Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig
Asked whether she'd consider portraying Fiona on stage, Diaz said: "No, absolutely not. What they do up there... is, to me, impossible. It's wonderful, though."
"It's great to see all of the actors playing it together because when we do it for the animated we never see each other," she said.
"We don't work with one another - we all record separately and then they put it all together so you don't really get the dynamics and chemistry that you get with other actors... it's a lot of fun to watch."
Shrek, based on the children's book by William Steig, is one of the most successful animated films of all time and tells the story of an ogre who falls in love.
Diaz will reprise her voice role in the fourth Shrek film, alongside Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy, who return as Shrek and Donkey respectively.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
The Boston Globe Good sign for Yankees - Sabathia
LAS VEGAS - Have the New York Yankees gone back to being . . . you know, the Evil Empire New York Yankees?
They are the richest, most powerful entity in sports. They have built a $1.3 billion stadium with all the bells and whistles. Good economy, bad economy. No matter. CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Manny Ramírez, and/or Mark Teixeira.
The Yankees, who agreed to terms with Sabathia on a seven-year, $161 million deal yesterday, can and may sign more than a couple of the other prominent free agents.
They have always been on an island by themselves in terms of what they can afford. They have tried to scale back that approach, trying to go the farm system route, but at the end of the day they revert to what they do best - they buy the best available players, partly because some of their homegrown players (Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy, to name a few) haven't made the splash they'd hoped.
So it came as no surprise to Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein that the Yankees opened the vault, and they may open it once or twice more for Lowe and/or Burnett and perhaps Ramírez when all is said and done.
"Nothing surprises me anymore," said Epstein. "[Sabathia is] clearly the top pitcher on the market. He pitched great and he deserves to be rewarded. What he did down the stretch with Milwaukee was really admirable and great for baseball. He pitched his team to the playoffs. He took the ball on three days' rest and that was fun to watch. I have a lot of respect for what he did."
In the end the Yankees gave Sabathia $61 million more - and two more years - than the Brewers offered. It was the only other offer on the table. The Giants had decided Sabathia was too rich for them despite his hometown interest. The Red Sox met with him Monday and came away impressed, but an offer was never made, according to major league sources. Epstein said that even before the winter meetings here, he felt Sabathia would be a Yankee.
"Yeah, any time a team offers, which at the time was more than $40 million more and could go up to more than $60 million more than anyone else, there's a pretty good chance he's going to sign," said Epstein. "It was a strong signing by the Yankees."
Has it always worked out? No. Take the years 2001-08, for example, when the Yankees were shut out of the world championship. And last season marked the first time in 14 years they didn't make the playoffs. When that happens, you know the Yankees are going to spend money. Sabathia's deal is downright crazy for a guy whose weight was listed by the Brewers as 311 pounds.
They are the richest, most powerful entity in sports. They have built a $1.3 billion stadium with all the bells and whistles. Good economy, bad economy. No matter. CC Sabathia, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Manny Ramírez, and/or Mark Teixeira.
The Yankees, who agreed to terms with Sabathia on a seven-year, $161 million deal yesterday, can and may sign more than a couple of the other prominent free agents.
They have always been on an island by themselves in terms of what they can afford. They have tried to scale back that approach, trying to go the farm system route, but at the end of the day they revert to what they do best - they buy the best available players, partly because some of their homegrown players (Melky Cabrera, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy, to name a few) haven't made the splash they'd hoped.
So it came as no surprise to Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein that the Yankees opened the vault, and they may open it once or twice more for Lowe and/or Burnett and perhaps Ramírez when all is said and done.
"Nothing surprises me anymore," said Epstein. "[Sabathia is] clearly the top pitcher on the market. He pitched great and he deserves to be rewarded. What he did down the stretch with Milwaukee was really admirable and great for baseball. He pitched his team to the playoffs. He took the ball on three days' rest and that was fun to watch. I have a lot of respect for what he did."
In the end the Yankees gave Sabathia $61 million more - and two more years - than the Brewers offered. It was the only other offer on the table. The Giants had decided Sabathia was too rich for them despite his hometown interest. The Red Sox met with him Monday and came away impressed, but an offer was never made, according to major league sources. Epstein said that even before the winter meetings here, he felt Sabathia would be a Yankee.
"Yeah, any time a team offers, which at the time was more than $40 million more and could go up to more than $60 million more than anyone else, there's a pretty good chance he's going to sign," said Epstein. "It was a strong signing by the Yankees."
Has it always worked out? No. Take the years 2001-08, for example, when the Yankees were shut out of the world championship. And last season marked the first time in 14 years they didn't make the playoffs. When that happens, you know the Yankees are going to spend money. Sabathia's deal is downright crazy for a guy whose weight was listed by the Brewers as 311 pounds.
Mets Add a Setup Man, the Mariners’ Putz
LAS VEGAS — The Mets officially welcomed their new closer, Francisco Rodríguez, on Wednesday, giving him a team jacket and parading him around Citi Field. Accomplishing his primary off-season objective excited General Manager Omar Minaya, whose promised remodeling of his pitching staff is coming quickly and in reverse order.
On Wednesday night, Minaya completed a three-team, 12-player trade with Seattle and Cleveland that netted Mariners closer J. J. Putz. The right-handed Putz, who will be 32 in February, will set up Rodríguez to form one of the most imposing late-inning combinations in baseball.
“All I kept hearing on the streets of New York when I go get bagels in the morning, ‘Omar, address the bullpen,’ ” Minaya said. “Well, to you, Mets fans, we’ve addressed the bullpen.”
The Mets also received Jeremy Reed, an outfielder, and Sean Green, a right-handed reliever, from Seattle. In the first step of their bullpen purge, the Mets sent relievers Joe Smith to Cleveland and Aaron Heilman to Seattle, which will also receive from the Mets outfielder Endy Chávez, pitcher Jason Vargas, the minor league first baseman Mike Carp, the minor league pitcher Maikel Cleto and the minor league outfielder Ezequiel Carrera.
In less than 48 hours, the Mets have secured the American League West’s two most dominant relievers to significantly reshape a bullpen that was their leading weakness last season — for a (relative) pittance. They dealt the underperforming Heilman, who could benefit from a change of scenery; a right-handed specialist in Smith; a reserve outfielder in Chávez; and a first-base prospect in Carp who had been passed by Daniel Murphy in the organizational hierarchy.
Heilman, a dominant setup man during the Mets’ playoff run in 2006, symbolized their bullpen problems last season. He struggled from the outset and never found his rhythm, allowing 10 homers and posting a career-high earned run average as a reliever, 5.21. Chávez, who will forever be adored by Mets fans for his spectacular catch in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series, had trouble consistently cracking the outfield rotation despite an abundance of injuries to Mets outfielders.
Since Billy Wagner’s absence in parts of the past two seasons exposed their lack of late-inning depth, the Mets have been seeking another reliever who has closing experience and would not feel unappreciated by assuming a less-glamorous — but just as vital — role. The team feels that Putz, who recorded 76 saves in 2006-7 before being limited by injuries last season, would thrive in that spot. Minaya spoke with Putz on Wednesday night and said Putz sounded excited.
The addition of Putz, who is owed $5.5 million next season, would also allow the Mets to occasionally rest Rodríguez, who is coming off a strenuous season in which he recorded 62 saves to set the single-season record and, in a rarity for a closer, led the A.L. with 76 appearances.
“To get one closer like Frankie would have been a good winter,” Minaya said of Rodríguez. “I think to get two guys like this is a great winter.”
In his first two seasons in the majors, Putz worked mostly as a setup reliever. He lowered his E.R.A. to 3.60 from 4.71, but it was not until he assumed the closer’s role in 2006 that he began to excel. That season, he struck out 104 batters in 78 1/3 innings, posting a 2.30 E.R.A. and 36 saves.
In 2007, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Putz was perhaps the best closer in baseball, allowing 37 hits in 71 2/3 innings while saving 40 games and posting the lowest E.R.A. (1.38) among major league relievers. Last season, though, he struggled with injuries, starting with a rib-cage injury in April that sent him to the disabled list. He also spent time on the disabled list over the summer with a hyperextended right elbow, and finished the year with 15 saves and a 3.88 E.R.A.
Moving forward, the Mets planned to meet with Scott Boras, who represents Derek Lowe and Oliver Pérez, but believe their financial commitment to Rodríguez has taken them out of the bidding for Lowe. Pérez, though, remains a possibility, especially if the Yankees look elsewhere.
The Mets are wary of giving Pérez a four-year deal, but remain interested in re-signing him. They are open to letting Jon Niese and potentially Bobby Parnell compete for the No. 5 starter’s job, but could bring in another established veteran to push them. Minaya also expects to speak with Fern Cuza, the agent for Pedro Martínez, but Martínez’s return appears to be a long shot.
As soon as he learned that Wagner would be unavailable in 2009, Minaya zeroed in on the free-agent closers, making Rodríguez a priority because of his combination of age (27 on opening day) and results (208 career saves).
“I think he has a good mind-set for pitching there,” Minaya said, referring to New York. “I think he wanted to be there, the challenge to be there. He’s been in a big market like Anaheim and New York. He likes the adrenaline of being there.”
Paul Kinzer, Rodríguez’s agent, said he tried impressing that point on Minaya during negotiations — that Rodríguez could benefit from pitching on a grand stage. Those negotiations, Kinzer said Wednesday, took an interesting turn Sunday night. During a dinner meeting that initiated their sincere interest, Johan Santana, apparently unaware the team was meeting with Rodríguez, called the Mets. Minaya passed the phone to Rodríguez, who was delighted to hear a recruiting pitch from Santana, his Venezuelan compatriot.
Like Santana, Rodríguez, who will wear No. 75 — the inverse of his former number — was present for the final few hours as the sides eventually completed the terms at about 5 a.m. Tuesday. The Mets wanted to finish the deal quickly because Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, planned to board his private jet back to New York for an 8 a.m. flight. Soon after, Rodríguez followed. And now Putz will join him, another piece in the Mets’ off-season makeover.
On Wednesday night, Minaya completed a three-team, 12-player trade with Seattle and Cleveland that netted Mariners closer J. J. Putz. The right-handed Putz, who will be 32 in February, will set up Rodríguez to form one of the most imposing late-inning combinations in baseball.
“All I kept hearing on the streets of New York when I go get bagels in the morning, ‘Omar, address the bullpen,’ ” Minaya said. “Well, to you, Mets fans, we’ve addressed the bullpen.”
The Mets also received Jeremy Reed, an outfielder, and Sean Green, a right-handed reliever, from Seattle. In the first step of their bullpen purge, the Mets sent relievers Joe Smith to Cleveland and Aaron Heilman to Seattle, which will also receive from the Mets outfielder Endy Chávez, pitcher Jason Vargas, the minor league first baseman Mike Carp, the minor league pitcher Maikel Cleto and the minor league outfielder Ezequiel Carrera.
In less than 48 hours, the Mets have secured the American League West’s two most dominant relievers to significantly reshape a bullpen that was their leading weakness last season — for a (relative) pittance. They dealt the underperforming Heilman, who could benefit from a change of scenery; a right-handed specialist in Smith; a reserve outfielder in Chávez; and a first-base prospect in Carp who had been passed by Daniel Murphy in the organizational hierarchy.
Heilman, a dominant setup man during the Mets’ playoff run in 2006, symbolized their bullpen problems last season. He struggled from the outset and never found his rhythm, allowing 10 homers and posting a career-high earned run average as a reliever, 5.21. Chávez, who will forever be adored by Mets fans for his spectacular catch in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series, had trouble consistently cracking the outfield rotation despite an abundance of injuries to Mets outfielders.
Since Billy Wagner’s absence in parts of the past two seasons exposed their lack of late-inning depth, the Mets have been seeking another reliever who has closing experience and would not feel unappreciated by assuming a less-glamorous — but just as vital — role. The team feels that Putz, who recorded 76 saves in 2006-7 before being limited by injuries last season, would thrive in that spot. Minaya spoke with Putz on Wednesday night and said Putz sounded excited.
The addition of Putz, who is owed $5.5 million next season, would also allow the Mets to occasionally rest Rodríguez, who is coming off a strenuous season in which he recorded 62 saves to set the single-season record and, in a rarity for a closer, led the A.L. with 76 appearances.
“To get one closer like Frankie would have been a good winter,” Minaya said of Rodríguez. “I think to get two guys like this is a great winter.”
In his first two seasons in the majors, Putz worked mostly as a setup reliever. He lowered his E.R.A. to 3.60 from 4.71, but it was not until he assumed the closer’s role in 2006 that he began to excel. That season, he struck out 104 batters in 78 1/3 innings, posting a 2.30 E.R.A. and 36 saves.
In 2007, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Putz was perhaps the best closer in baseball, allowing 37 hits in 71 2/3 innings while saving 40 games and posting the lowest E.R.A. (1.38) among major league relievers. Last season, though, he struggled with injuries, starting with a rib-cage injury in April that sent him to the disabled list. He also spent time on the disabled list over the summer with a hyperextended right elbow, and finished the year with 15 saves and a 3.88 E.R.A.
Moving forward, the Mets planned to meet with Scott Boras, who represents Derek Lowe and Oliver Pérez, but believe their financial commitment to Rodríguez has taken them out of the bidding for Lowe. Pérez, though, remains a possibility, especially if the Yankees look elsewhere.
The Mets are wary of giving Pérez a four-year deal, but remain interested in re-signing him. They are open to letting Jon Niese and potentially Bobby Parnell compete for the No. 5 starter’s job, but could bring in another established veteran to push them. Minaya also expects to speak with Fern Cuza, the agent for Pedro Martínez, but Martínez’s return appears to be a long shot.
As soon as he learned that Wagner would be unavailable in 2009, Minaya zeroed in on the free-agent closers, making Rodríguez a priority because of his combination of age (27 on opening day) and results (208 career saves).
“I think he has a good mind-set for pitching there,” Minaya said, referring to New York. “I think he wanted to be there, the challenge to be there. He’s been in a big market like Anaheim and New York. He likes the adrenaline of being there.”
Paul Kinzer, Rodríguez’s agent, said he tried impressing that point on Minaya during negotiations — that Rodríguez could benefit from pitching on a grand stage. Those negotiations, Kinzer said Wednesday, took an interesting turn Sunday night. During a dinner meeting that initiated their sincere interest, Johan Santana, apparently unaware the team was meeting with Rodríguez, called the Mets. Minaya passed the phone to Rodríguez, who was delighted to hear a recruiting pitch from Santana, his Venezuelan compatriot.
Like Santana, Rodríguez, who will wear No. 75 — the inverse of his former number — was present for the final few hours as the sides eventually completed the terms at about 5 a.m. Tuesday. The Mets wanted to finish the deal quickly because Jeff Wilpon, the team’s chief operating officer, planned to board his private jet back to New York for an 8 a.m. flight. Soon after, Rodríguez followed. And now Putz will join him, another piece in the Mets’ off-season makeover.
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
K-Rod will have to step up his game in the NL East
LAS VEGAS - The New York Mets are about to complete a deal for record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez. The Mets could spend up to $51 million on him and not have the best closer in the National League East.
That distinction still belongs to Philadelphia's Brad Lidge, whose perfect season for the World Series champions has not received its proper due. Lidge made the difference in the East this season and was more dominant than Rodriguez.
With Lidge converting all 41 save chances in the regular season, the Phillies went 79-0 when leading after eight innings. The Mets, unsettled at closer all season, went 78-7 when leading after eight innings.
The Phillies won the division by three games over the Mets. Four Lidge hiccups, and Philadelphia misses the playoffs.
Here's why adding Rodriguez does not mean the Mets have closed the narrow gap with the Phillies:
Margin of error: For Rodriguez to be successful, the Mets will have to tack on runs to their leads. Rodriguez had a record 62 saves with the Los Angeles Angels this season. That included 38 saves in 40 chances when given a lead of two or more runs.
Rodriguez was less successful on the tougher save chances. He went 24-of-29 when asked to protect a one-run lead.
Lidge converted 20 save chances when working with a one-run lead.
Level of competition: The Angels' early exit in the playoffs suggested the 100-win regular season was tainted by playing in the West. The Angels went 36-21 against Oakland, Seattle and Texas.
Rodriguez had his way in intra-division games. He was 29-of-31 in save chances against the West and 33-of-38 against all other teams.
The East will present more of an offensive challenge to Rodriguez, with Philadelphia alone a greater test than anything in the AL West. The Mets' bullpen went 3-6 with only six saves in 11 chances against the Phillies this season.
Lidge did benefit from not having to face a Phillies lineup loaded with left-handed hitters. He had 21 saves within the division this season.
Stuff: Lidge buries hitters with a fastball-slider combination. He had 92 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings this season.
Rodriguez is undergoing a transition. He can no longer pump a steady stream of fastballs past hitters. In the view of two major-league scouts attending the major-league meetings, Rodriguez has become more of a breaking-ball pitcher whose stuff and command can go haywire.
"I know he got the record, but he's not as good for me as a lot of other guys in that role," said one of the scouts, with an AL West club.
The problem is Rodriguez does not always throw strikes. Sometimes, he cannot command the breaking pitch. Sometimes, the delivery comes apart. He allowed 4.48 walks per nine innings this season.
All of that figured in the Angels' decision not to make keeping Rodriguez a priority even after a 62-save season. The Angels are content, for the moment, with giving ninth-inning leads to righthanders Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo.
Rodriguez also failed to cause a commotion on a free-agent market flooded with closers. Several clubs that need a closer were apprehensive about Rodriguez.
He settled for less than his reported expectations of a five-year deal worth $51 million. Rodriguez is guaranteed $37 million over three seasons, with a fourth year at $14 million kicking in if he meets appearance thresholds.
Francisco Rodriguez has the single-season saves record but still must prove that he can do it in the NL East. Until further notice, Brad Lidge is the best of that division's closers.
Rodriguez can get strikeouts. He averaged 10.14 strikeouts per nine innings, a high rate but also the lowest of his career.
That distinction still belongs to Philadelphia's Brad Lidge, whose perfect season for the World Series champions has not received its proper due. Lidge made the difference in the East this season and was more dominant than Rodriguez.
With Lidge converting all 41 save chances in the regular season, the Phillies went 79-0 when leading after eight innings. The Mets, unsettled at closer all season, went 78-7 when leading after eight innings.
The Phillies won the division by three games over the Mets. Four Lidge hiccups, and Philadelphia misses the playoffs.
Here's why adding Rodriguez does not mean the Mets have closed the narrow gap with the Phillies:
Margin of error: For Rodriguez to be successful, the Mets will have to tack on runs to their leads. Rodriguez had a record 62 saves with the Los Angeles Angels this season. That included 38 saves in 40 chances when given a lead of two or more runs.
Rodriguez was less successful on the tougher save chances. He went 24-of-29 when asked to protect a one-run lead.
Lidge converted 20 save chances when working with a one-run lead.
Level of competition: The Angels' early exit in the playoffs suggested the 100-win regular season was tainted by playing in the West. The Angels went 36-21 against Oakland, Seattle and Texas.
Rodriguez had his way in intra-division games. He was 29-of-31 in save chances against the West and 33-of-38 against all other teams.
The East will present more of an offensive challenge to Rodriguez, with Philadelphia alone a greater test than anything in the AL West. The Mets' bullpen went 3-6 with only six saves in 11 chances against the Phillies this season.
Lidge did benefit from not having to face a Phillies lineup loaded with left-handed hitters. He had 21 saves within the division this season.
Stuff: Lidge buries hitters with a fastball-slider combination. He had 92 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings this season.
Rodriguez is undergoing a transition. He can no longer pump a steady stream of fastballs past hitters. In the view of two major-league scouts attending the major-league meetings, Rodriguez has become more of a breaking-ball pitcher whose stuff and command can go haywire.
"I know he got the record, but he's not as good for me as a lot of other guys in that role," said one of the scouts, with an AL West club.
The problem is Rodriguez does not always throw strikes. Sometimes, he cannot command the breaking pitch. Sometimes, the delivery comes apart. He allowed 4.48 walks per nine innings this season.
All of that figured in the Angels' decision not to make keeping Rodriguez a priority even after a 62-save season. The Angels are content, for the moment, with giving ninth-inning leads to righthanders Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo.
Rodriguez also failed to cause a commotion on a free-agent market flooded with closers. Several clubs that need a closer were apprehensive about Rodriguez.
He settled for less than his reported expectations of a five-year deal worth $51 million. Rodriguez is guaranteed $37 million over three seasons, with a fourth year at $14 million kicking in if he meets appearance thresholds.
Francisco Rodriguez has the single-season saves record but still must prove that he can do it in the NL East. Until further notice, Brad Lidge is the best of that division's closers.
Rodriguez can get strikeouts. He averaged 10.14 strikeouts per nine innings, a high rate but also the lowest of his career.
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