The Blue Jays added Isiah Kiner-Falefa and brought back Kevin Kiermaier last month. Now, Toronto has added one of the more interesting arms that garnered interest from several MLB teams this winter. Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will reportedly join the Blue Jays on a multi-year deal as Toronto rounds out their potential 2024 pitching staff.
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A Look at Rodriguez
Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez was one of the more intriguing hurlers available in the free agent pool. Rodriguez didn’t pitch professionally in 2023 but did throw for Team Cuba in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Over two starts in the WBC, Rodriguez struck out 10 over 7.1 IP, and opposing hitters batted just .200 off him. The 27-year-old did walk six in the event.
Rodriguez has extensive experience as a reliever, as the new Blue Jay worked in the role for much of 2020-22. He did well in the pen, particularly in his last season over in Japan. With Chunichi, Rodriguez struck out 60 and posted a 0.92 WHIP over 54.2 IP.
He did, however, work as a starter before 2020 and in the WBC. During the WBC, Rodriguez’s fastball operated in the mid-90s as a starter. It’s a pitch with life, and he pairs it with a slider with good downward break and a changeup.
Command is an issue with Rodriguez. The 26-year-old piled up the walks both in the Cuban National Series and Japan. While he did post a respectable 3.0 BB/9 in his final season in Japan, Rodriguez’s walk rate — aside from 2020 — hovered anywhere from 4.3 to 5.9 BB/9.
Those walk problems aren’t as problematic when it comes to a reliever. However, it’s something to watch as Rodriguez will likely make a push for a job in Toronto’s rotation.
Per The Athletic, Yariel Rodriguez will receive a multi-year deal from the Blue Jays.
Analysis
Rodriguez flashed hit-and-miss stuff in the World Baseball Classic. He’s got the stuff to be a back-end starter at the MLB level and Rodriguez should get the chance to do just that with Toronto.
With Hyun Jin Ryu a free agent, Toronto was set to walk into Florida with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios, and Yusei Kikuchi. Alek Manoah will likely be competing for the fifth slot, as might Ricky Tiedemann.
At the very least, Rodriguez could be a good middle relief option for the Jays if the command problems became too much for his rotation ambitions. He was known to miss his spots during the WBC at times, so that will be something to watch in Spring Training.