11:49am: Rodriguez will earn a $500K bonus for reaching each of 30, 60, 90 and 120 days on the active roster in 2023, MLBTR has learned.
10:28am: The Red Sox have signed left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez to a one-year deal with a club option for the 2024 season, per a team announcement. Rodriguez, a client of L.A. Sports Management, will be guaranteed $2MM in the form of a $1.5MM salary in 2023 and a $500K buyout on a $4.25MM club option for the 2024 campaign, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports (via Twitter).
MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo tweets that Rodriguez can earn up to $2MM of bonuses based on time spent on the active roster in 2023, plus $250K in each season of the deal based on games pitched. In all, it can max out at $8.25MM over a two-year term. Boston’s 40-man roster is now up to 39 players.
Originally signed out of the Dominican Republic by the Pirates as a teenager back in 2009, Rodriguez bounced to four different organizations before signing with the Chunichi Dragons of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball prior to the 2018 season. A strong two-year run with the Dragons (1.85 ERA in 87 2/3 innings) landed Rodriguez a big league deal to return to the Rangers.
Twice traded since that time, the now-31-year-old Rodriguez has spent a season with Texas and both New York clubs, pitching to a combined 4.28 ERA but more encouraging secondary marks. He’s averaged 94 mph on his heater, punched out an above-average 25.5% of his opponents and logged a huge 55.7% ground-ball rate. Despite a higher-than-average 10.3% walk rate, fielding-independent metrics like FIP (3.14) and SIERA (3.51) all feel that Rodriguez has pitched a fair bit better than his more rudimentary ERA would otherwise indicate.
In particular, Rodriguez has excelled at limiting hard contact. Last year’s paltry 85.3 mph average exit velocity, 3.8% barrel rate and 31.8% hard-hit rate were all among the lowest marks in the league. Statcast ranked each in the 91st percentile or better among big league pitchers. Rodriguez carried a notable platoon split with the Yankees in 2021 but, upon ramping up his usage of a sinker/changeup combination (at the expense of most of his four-seamers and sliders) was generally tough on lefties and righties alike in 2022. Left-handers hit .233/.320/.326 against him, while righties were actually even worse, at .220/.325/.300.
If Rodriguez can sustain those gains against right-handed opponents and simultaneously rein in his command a bit — he walked 12% of hitters in 2022 but just 8.7% in 2021 — there’s potential for him to elevate his profile and prove to be a quality bargain on this relatively modest deal.
Rodriguez will step into a Boston bullpen that had otherwise been slated to include just one lefty: Josh Taylor. It’s possible that Darwinzon Hernandez or one of recently selected Chris Murphy and Brandon Walter could eventually work their way into the mix, but left-handed bullpen help was a fairly clear area of need for the Sox. They’ve now made at least one move to address that — though others could certainly transpire — and done so in affordable fashion. With Rodriguez on the books, Boston’s payroll sits at a projected $133.8MM, while their luxury-tax ledger is just north of $153MM.
wow… next stop is world series winner.
Shows they’re all in for sure
It’s amazing how some dullard always says something like this whenever someone who isn’t a superstar is signed.
Yeah, but Rishi has twice as many thumbs up as you do. 😉
Not understanding what they see in this guy
Ohh, I can answer this. He throws left handed.
If fans expect them to re-sign Boegarts and extend Devers as well as get front line starters, cheap bullpen arms are a must
dewey – Even though they now operate like the Rays, they should never cry poverty when it comes to paying for decent relievers.
They didn’t want to give Ottavino just $4M this season, but they guaranteed $6.75M for one year of Diekman and Robles combined.
Look at the season Ottavino had, then look at the season Robles/Diekman had.
It’s pure stupidity for Bloom to keep trying the “throw spit against the wall and see what sticks” approach.
Boston Red Sox fans are the worst fans in all of sports. To whine about a middle reliever signing like this is pathetic.
Fever Pitch Guy
Not the moves I expected. This is a guy you pick up after you you set your roster for a minimum or minor league contract in the hopes he makes the roster. You I know I do not like Bloom but I expect better and to try to keep Boggarts. The other guy Hoy they picked up later today too is another major league minimum guy. He acts like we are paupers like the Pirates and Royals. I hope he does better this off-season but I’m not optimistic. Robles was so shakey in the playoffs last year along with Davis. One good relief pitcher pickup in 2021 and we would have been in the World Series. He picks up too many mediocre players hoping they stick.
The problem is you see it that way but Bloom sees this guy as the second coming of Kimbrel LOL with a little tweaking
Robles was so shakey in the playoffs last year along with Davis. One good relief pitcher pickup in 2021 and we would have been in the World Series.
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1-Robles pitched very well for us in 2021. His 4 saves might’ve been what got us to the playoffs.
2-Robles had a 3.38 ERA in the ALCS.
Robles blew a lead to the Rays in the playoffs last year. Didn’t he have 6 blown saves last season. He also had an ERA above 5 last season
Joe – Today is Turkey Day, not Troll Day!
Red Sox Nation knows how bad Robles was in the ALCS.
In Game 1 he took the loss by giving up the go-ahead homerun to Correa in the bottom of the 7th inning. For the series he had a 1.50 WHIP and -2.3% cWPA.
And for the ALDS? 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP and -3.6% cWPA.
Without Robles, Sox clinch a playoff spot a week earlier and win the ALCS after taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
Amen to this. Bunch of clowns who think they know.
SoxFan – Joe isn’t a clown, he’s a good guy. He is just a Yankee fan who despises Sox fans and therefore tries to get a rise out of us.
Robles blew a lead to the Rays in the playoffs last year. Didn’t he have 6 blown saves last season. He also had an ERA above 5 last season
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You’re original point with Robles was that, had we obtained another RP, and had he thrown a scoreless inning in the same inning Robles pitched, that the RS would’ve scored later in the game, won the game in Houston, and then we’d have won game 7 7 in Houston, and would’ve gone to the WS.
Far-fetched but whatever. But in order to shore up that point, you’re using Robles 2022 stats?
And for the ALDS? 10.80 ERA and 2.40 WHIP and -3.6% cWPA.
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I appreciate you quoting the BR stats, but AL34’s point was about the ALCS, not the ALDS.
And FP simply continues to lie.
Joe – I know, but you DID also say that Robles contributed prior to the ALCS.
Joe – It would help if you actually supported some of the things you say, but we all know why you don’t … because you can’t.
What have I lied about? You said you were a Yankees full season ticketholder, you’ve repeatedly trashed Red Sox fans, you’ve repeatedly said you don’t care if they lose, and you’re always going totally against what real Red Sox fans feel.
Just admit what you are, admit you’re trying to get a rise out of Sox fans by saying things that you know are completely false, and move on.
For a team that is incapable of developing starting pitching, maybe sign an actual good reliver. Why let Ottavino go last year? Bloom is awful.
Gammons said in an interview recently that the Sox and Bogaerts camp havent spoken in weeks – wouldnt bet on him returning to the Red Sox…
Great FIP last few years.
“Not understanding what they see in this guy”
Did you read the article?
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– 55.7% ground-ball rate
– 3.14 FIP
– 91st percentile barrel-rate
– 91st percentile hard-hit rate
The guy doesn’t give a lot of hard contact and induces a lot of groundballs. If you want to dislike the BB rate or ERA, fine. But to say “not understanding what they see in this guy” when the article shows exact what makes him interesting, makes you look foolish.
Lol
Looking like a Bloom off-season, that’s for sure.
Dumb comment. Don’t be dumb.
Not a very effective arm. I suppose Boston is just grabbing some filler and rounding out the bullpen, but strange to see them jump on this guy so early in the offseason.
IRT it being early. I doubt he’d have any problem finding work at $1.5M. The price wouldn’t have dropped at all, imho. But like you said, mostly filler, but he has been mediocre against both lefties and righties, so there is value in that.
Now I will sit back and watch this thread grow to 200 comments.
lmao, love the winter on this site. 200+ comments on filler middle reliever signings. The stove is hot!
200+ comments on filler middle reliever signings.
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You ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait until August, when we pick up some AA BP depth. You will not only get 200 comments complaining about picking him up, you’ll get 200 more from the same people complaining when we drop him.
Rct- the majority of the comments are bs by people who probably did not even read the article…. or think they are funny
Joe – You failed to mention nearly half of the 200 comments will be people like yourself who feel the need to hype everything Bloom does because you believe you are actually part of the Red Sox organization. LOL!
Names himself after a horrid chick flick. Your opinion card has been pulled you dunce.
Warm up the Duck Boats.
SoxFan – Why so angry? Calling everyone childish names is quite juvenile, especially for a 28-year-old.
FPG is a DBag. Dont feed the DBags.
You’re not thinking clearly any more. But just for fun, show me where I hyped this move. I believe my response was this was “filler”. If you that’s hype, then you are likely the only one that does so.
IRT to me thinking I am part of the organization, you probably need to rest a little. This internet thing is beginning to affect you.
Joe – Here’s quotes from you upthread in which you:
1) Try to justify spending $2M (not $1.5M as you falsely claimed) on a 31-year-old pitcher with a career 4.56 ERA and 1.479 WHIP
2) Claim that several other teams would have given a similar contract, if not a bigger one
3) Refer to him as a valuable pitcher because of his “mediocrity”
“I doubt he’d have any problem finding work at $1.5M. The price wouldn’t have dropped at all,”
“he has been mediocre against both lefties and righties, so there is value in that.”
His BB/9 of 4.6 is too high. But he throws with his left hand, so he will probably find work into his 60’s ha.
if your left handed and have a pulse you can have a job on any pitching staff lol
that said wish i could throw left handed then i wouldn’t have to work for a living lol
WE GOT HIM!!!!
LOL
Ughhh – what are the over/under predictions he makes it through the whole year. Looks like a future 2023 waiver candidate. C’mon Chaim!
Case in point. What a stupid take. Who gets so bent out of shape over a minor BP signing?
Lmao
“Stupid Take”
are you referring to your own post?
He’s not good enough to deserve a 40 man spot as things stand and yet is taking one up. Poor roster management at the least.
I see the dummkopfs are still allowed to post here!
You spelled Julio wrong
You need to recheck his spelling first.
yours….
Or perhaps…….I was making a joke
Perhaps I was too
.I was making a joke
====================
Obviously. But when a commenter is here only to criticize, they will also criticize jokes.
If at first you don’t succeed (Straham, Diekman), try, try again (Joely). This is not the transaction most Red Sox fans were hoping for. Just added a 5th or 6th inning reliever. At least it was for short money.
Thad Ward will be better than Rodriguez next season. Too bad the Sox are going to lose him in the Rule 5 Draft, as you’ve stated. All to add David Hamilton aka Billy Hamilton to the 40 man roster to save face for that awful Hunter Renfroe trade.
I like Hamilton, but selecting him shouldn’t keep you from selecting Ward as well. Rodriguez effectively being selected over Ward is the real issue.
The Red Sox 40 man roster is at 39 right now. Looks like they do not believe in Ward long-term for some reason.
Thad Ward is injuried and at Double A at the moment. I’ll take that bet. Even if he gets claimed, he’ll still spend 80% of the season riding the DL.
Strahm wasn’t terrible. Hell I would actually not mind seeing him return
Same here. I’ve always thought Strahm was a bit underrated and would have much preferred seeing him return than signing Rodriguez.
Strahm has been telling any teams he’s talked to so far this winter that he wants a chance to be a starting pitcher again. If he were content to remain in the pen the Sox likely would have pursued re-signing him, but that isn’t the case.
Get use to it my friend. This is Blooms type of pickup, cheap and hopefully a high upside
The Red Sox need more than 1 left handed pitcher.
“Boston’s rather impatient fanbase is upset that the team has not acquired multiple perennial All-Stars by this point in the offseason. It is a good time to note that Rodriguez is just the second Major League Baseball free agent to join another team.”
Per Yardbarker
Lol, “impatient fanbase” !!!!!
Mets should’ve kept him.
Nah. He’s garbage.
Nah.
Peterson or Lucchesi will probably take his role, assuming both aren’t needed as a starter or long man.
I wonder why the incentive is based on active days on the roster instead of innings pitched. I guess maybe it has more value to the player since the team can’t manipulate it while they technically could manipulate innings pitched. I feel like normally incentives based on workload and being healthy use innings pitched or PAs, not active time on the roster.
Wow, Bloom. This is almost as exciting as Jake Diekman last year. I guess Andrew Chafin or bringing Strahm back were just too expensive. Have any other Red Sox fans finally had enough of this crap the way I have? Next up, replacing Bogaerts with Elvis Andrus.
In a word? Yes.
Great, another reliever that can’t throw strikes. We still don’t have a closer, or anyone we can bring into a one run game in the late innings.
Just a guy. Every team has a few
Now they can sign Strahm, and put him in the rotation. That way they don’t have to spend big bucks for an established starter!
Gas up the duck boats!
It is looking like a Chaim Bloom Christmas with this pickup. Unfortunately Bloom cannot help himself looking for bargains. You cannot run a major market baseball team with a guy like this. This works with low budget teams like Tampa Bay not major market Boston. You need a combination of a GM who picks up players via trades and signs free agents without a fear of trading prospects who are strictly that, prospects. Unless this guy changes his spots this is all you are going to see this off-season. The Story signing was a panic signing because he did little in the off season last year but trade Renfro for JBJ. He also had lowballed Boggarts and figured he might have insulted him right out of Boston. Three years ago I called into WEEI and said the Red Sox were going to fire Dave Dombroski and Merloni thought I was wrong. Well they clipped his wings at the 2019 trade deadline and fired him later that year. This is Blooms last hurrah and I hope he wakes up and does something but I have zero confidence in him. I think he will be fired at the end of the season if he has another poor year.
AL34;
And here I thought only Yankee fans were pathetic…..
Hey Samuel, wake me up when Bloom does something meaningful okay? These moves like this and signing Hoy are something pauper teams like the Pirates or Royals do not a big market team like Boston. You pick these type of guys up when you get your roster set, not now.
So with Red Sox available funds they can sign 32 more like this.
Right up Bloom’s alley. I’m beginning to think Bloom is secretly working for the Yankees LOL.
That oughta do it.
He’s awful
Can’t be worse than Diekman or Davis
Sure is a big post with pic too for such an unspectacular seemingly insignificant signing
Checks off all of Cora’s boxes.
1. Spanish
Ian Browne reports, “the Red Sox liked some of his periphery numbers”.
Wow. If that doesn’t fill you with optimism I don’t know what will.
Yawn.. You suck Chaim
Fully endorse this move. One of my favorite bargain relievers.