This Thursday, journalist Shi Davidi announced through his social network that Toronto Bluejays John Schneider manager commented that he will be cautious with this use of Yariel Rodríguez as a starter, due to the fact that the Cuban has had a long layoff since he last pitched in a live game. Schneider expects the hurler to eventually settle into a starting role after a lot of speculation where he might fit in the rotation for the Canadian squad.
The team officially announced the signing of Yariel Rodríguez after the Cuban right-hander passed his physical a week ago. The accord between the hurler and the ballclub is for four years and 32 million dollars. Per sources the contract could reach as much as 40 million dollars. The signing was originally announced on January 17th by the team pending the physical.
Rodriguez pitched in the Dominican Republic’s Parallel League earlier this winter, in two innings of work he retired four batters via the strikeout and the other two on ground balls off the mound. The Antillean’s fastball hovered around 96 MPH. On November 3, he was declared a Free Agent by the MLB Commissioner’s office, as sources confirmed to the transaction to Francys Romero.
Rodriguez (26) also had another excellent showcase in front of the 30 MLB teams a few months ago. He faced experienced hitters such as Abraham Almonte and the Giants prospect, Marco Luciano at Santo Domingo’s Quisqueya Stadium. Rodriguez again exhibited an array of pitches and his fastball was between 94-97 MPH. There were about 4-5 teams actively in the bid for Rodriguez, but it seems the Jays won the bidding.
Cuban RHP Yariel Rodriguez contract is 32M for 5 years that includes a team option.
The contract could reach 40 million, per sources.
He is represented by Brian Minniti (WME agency) and Edgar Mercedes from Born to Play. pic.twitter.com/US46ZduBrb
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) February 9, 2024
Romero was there to witness the tryout. His teammate in the World Baseball Classic, Luis Robert Jr. was present in the stands of Quisqueya stadium to witness the showcase and came down to greet his friend after all was said and done. Rodriguez is represented by Edgar Mercedes and Born To Play.
Below is the velocity of Rodriguez’s pitches during the showcase:
FB: 94-97
SL: 85-88
CV:77-78
Split: 88-89
The “Gallero de San Serapio” was valued at 50 million by some scouting services and did not have any type of restriction impeding his possible signing because he is over 25 years old and has played six years in a professional league. Rodríguez was solid and borderlining spectacular in his starts in the World Classic.
According to industry sources, the agreement between the Blue Jays and Cuban free agent RHP Yariel Rodriguez is on 4-year and $32 million.
Rodriguez would be the first Cuban-born pitcher in the history of the Toronto Blue Jays.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 17, 2024
During that tournament Rodríguez tossed 7⅓ allowing two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Although he did not factor in any decision he posted a 2.45 earned run average, but did walk an alarming six batters during his two starts in the tournament.
In 54.2 innings of work during 2022 in the NPB Rodriguez gave up only seven earned runs. The right-hander had a 1.15 earned run average during 2022 and fanned 60, while only walking 18. During that campaign he did not allow a long ball and was named the reliever of the year in the land of the rising sun. The righty also tallied 39 holds and notched six victories in 2022.
The only reason the Rodriguez was not the team’s closer was because Raidel Martínez his countrymen held that role. Rodriguez’s fastball hit 100 miles per hour on the radar during one of his outings with the Chunichi in 2022.