CHICAGO — Francisco Rodriguez might make it easier for the Mets to trade him.
The Mets’ closer last night said he would consider waiving his vesting option for next season and limited no-trade clause if an interested team is willing to give him a new multiyear deal.
But Rodriguez also said his preference is to remain with the Mets.
“Definitely I would like to stay here,” he said after the Mets’ 7-4 victory over the Cubs in a game called by rain in the seventh inning. “Sometimes people think they want to jump to another ship when things are not good, but in this case, I would rather stay here all the way and hopefully the door is open to one more year or two more years.
“Definitely it’s not on my mind to leave, but it’s up to them to see what we’re going to do.”
Rodriguez needs to finish 55 games this season to trigger a $17.5 million option for 2012. Otherwise, his contract can be terminated for $3.5 million. The Mets can look to deal Rodriguez before the season ends, but he also has a list of 10 teams he cannot be traded to without his approval. Rodriguez has finished 18 games this season — putting him on pace for 61 finishes — and converted his last 15 save chances.
Though Rodriguez would consider waiving the limited no-trade and vesting option, he said nothing has been decided.
“It’s one thing is to think about it, another thing is to do it,” Rodriguez said. “I’m not going to make any commitment about it – I’m just saying I can think about it. I can think about it, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”