This was about what I thought would happen. Arthur Rhodes would be moved and that would be it. Arthur Rhodes to the Marlins for a fringe prospect. Gaby Hernandez’s numbers in AA do not exactly dazzle but he does have three to four pitches, is relatively young and has the all important connection to the Mariners. Minor league coordinator Pedro Grifol according to Lee Pelekoudas knows Hernandez well and thinks he has a shot.

What they lose in Arthur Rhodes on the field is a reliable set up man. Off the field they lose the leader of their bullpen. Rhodes filled in nicely in that department for JJ when he missed time with injuries and spent more time in the dugout then the bullpen. That no doubt is fine with JJ who respected Arthur’s experience and old schooledness.

The young guys will miss him as well. It was not uncommon to see Arthur surrounded by a group of them heading out together on the road be it to go get something to eat or say to take the BART to the stadium in San Francisco. He was big with the practical jokes and not afraid to get on teammates, pitchers or hitters, didn’t matter. Arthur thought there was a way things should be done and if he didn’t see them that way, believe me, you would hear from him.

Knowing he would probably be traded and we probably wouldn’t have an opportunity to talk to him today I skewed my post game questions to him last night in the direction of the possibility of it being his last start as a Mariner. He summed up what he was all about nicely when I asked how frustrating it was to finally be back healthy but have the team going through such a horrible season. “It’s been frustrating for everyone but for me I just go out there and do what I am supposed to do. If I pitch good and we lose, I lose with the team. If I pitch good and we win I win with the team.”

Arthur is a good guy and a good story. His comeback from Tommy John surgery at his age was remarkable, especially considering how fast he came back. It is a testament to his desire to compete and play the game of baseball. He refused to put his head down and even though the team has been hopelessly out of any kind of race for a long time, he still monitored his teammates and got on them if their heads were down.

I was involved in a conversation with Arthur and some of the pen guys earlier this week and one of the players said, “Well if you go to the Marlins you will just turn around and come back next year.” If he can still pitch, and the closeness to home in Florida (his family is in Maryland) I am sure there will be a place for him.