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On Wednesday night, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to a four-year guaranteed contract, marking the biggest move at the Winter Meetings outside of the Juan Soto trade.
It's a big move for the National League champions, who are attempting to get back to the World Series again in 2024. The D'Backs lost to the Texas Rangers in 2023.
Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
The Arizona Diamondbacks, vowing to spend money, sign starter Eduardo Rodriguez to 4-year contract worth $80 million with a 5th year vesting option that could make it worth $99 million.
They now have a powerful rotation of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Rodriguez and Brandon Pfaadt.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, vowing to spend money, sign starter Eduardo Rodriguez to 4-year contract worth $80 million with a 5th year vesting option that could make it worth $99 million.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 7, 2023
They now have a powerful rotation of Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, Rodriguez and Brandon Pfadt.
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 All-Star Game for the National League a season ago while Pfaadt came on strong in the playoffs and began to live up to his prospect status.
If the Diamondbacks were to find themselves in a playoff series again, they now have four capable starters. This past year, they had to use "Openers" during multiple playoff games. This signing hopefully makes that unnecessary. The fifth starter spot at this point 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.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Aaron Judge blasts 13th home run in Yankees' seventh straight win
- Mets reliever Edwin Diaz showing short shelf life of closers
- The 'No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft' quiz
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