The Royals have agreed to terms with left-hander Wandy Rodriguez and right-hander Joba Chamberlain on minor league deals, the team announced (via Twitter). Robert Murray of Baseball Essential tweeted yesterday that Rodriguez was joining the Royals. Rodriguez is represented by WMG, while Chamberlain is represented by Excel Sports Management.
Rodriguez, 36, posted a 4.90 ERA over 86 1/3 innings with the Rangers this season before being released by the team a few weeks ago. ERA indicators (4.41 SIERA, 4.30 FIP, 4.35 xFIP) indicate that Rodriguez’s 4.90 ERA is perhaps a bit inflated by his .328 BABIP. The southpaw owned a 3.20 ERA through his first 11 starts with Texas before his performance dipped, lowlighted by a pair of particularly rough outings against the A’s and Yankees (15 ER in a combined five innings).
Though he’ll currently be slated as minor league depth, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Rodriguez promoted to Kansas City’s rotation. Rodriguez’s modest 1.0 fWAR for 2015 tops every Royals starter except for Johnny Cueto and Edinson Volquez, so the lefty could be an option if the Royals want a change from the inconsistent Yordano Ventura or the struggling Jeremy Guthrie. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams noted at the time of Rodriguez’s release, the Royals had a need for a veteran depth arm given their recent loss of Jason Vargas to Tommy John surgery.
Chamberlain posted a 4.09 ERA, 6.1 K/9 and a 3.00 K/BB rate over 22 bullpen innings for the Tigers this season before he was released in July. He signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays but opted out on Friday after a brief but rough stint at Triple-A Buffalo. Chamberlain may be little more than a pure depth signing for K.C. given how the Royals already boast perhaps the game’s best bullpen.
Stocking up on fodder for when the rosters expand…
Chamberlain makes sense…he was a college teammate of Alex Gordon at Nebraska….going back to Omaha is practically home for him
Gordon and Joba also competed against each other in HS. Cross-town rivals. So these two guys have known each other for a long time.
I went to HS with Joba and his dad substitute taught all the time, both are really neat guys. Hope he can find his groove in KC.
I’m from the region as well…so I got a good look at Gordon and Joba coming up too. Jobas dad was always interesting to see….great story? Is he healthy now?
I haven’t been back to Lincoln for a while now. Live in Wisconsin now, and I haven’t really heard about his current condition, so I can’t speak for it at any capacity.
I sure hope he’s doing well, he really is a neat guy.
Yeah…I think we’ve spoken before…did you change your handle?
Both good signings, hope to see them succeed in KC!
The Rangers got some value from Wandy but ultimately, he showed why he was on the streets.
Even thought it’s a minor league signing, Joba? Really? Just sign me for half and they’ll hit HR’s off me for less money. Talk about a no life, straight as an arrow, tee it up fastball……