news:Arizona Diamondbacks has sign a new key player.
Arizona Diamondbacks Projected Starting Rotation After Signing Eduardo Rodriguez
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year guaranteed contract on Wednesday night, the biggest move at the Winter Meetings aside from the Juan Soto trade.
It’s a significant move for the National League champions, who hope to return to the World Series in 2024. In 2023, the D’Backs were defeated by the Texas Rangers.
According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale:
The Arizona Diamondbacks, vowing to spend money, sign starter Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year, $80 million contract with a fifth-year vesting option worth up to $99 million.
They now have a powerful rotation of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt.
To Nightengale’s point, the D’Backs now have a formidable starting rotation that should see them complete in the talented National League West – and the NL as a whole.
Gallen started the National League All-Star Game last season, while Pfaadt came on strong in the playoffs and began to live up to his prospect status.
If the Diamondbacks find themselves in another playoff series, they now have four capable starting pitchers. They had to use “Openers” during multiple playoff games this year. This signing, hopefully, eliminates the need for that. At this point, the fifth starting spot is up for grabs.
The 30-year-old Rodriguez opted out of the remainder of his deal with the Detroit Tigers in order to hit the free agent market. He’s coming off a season in which he went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. He made 26 starts for Detroit, striking out 143 batters in 152.2 innings.
He started his career with the Red Sox, helping Boston win the World Series in 2018 and winning 19 games himself in 2019. He then missed the COVID 2020 season after being diagnosed with myocarditis but returned in 2021.
He features a low 90s fastball and a good cutter, as well as a solid changeup.
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