Headlines

  • Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations
  • Giants Fire Gabe Kapler
  • Orioles Agree To 30-Year Lease At Camden Yards
  • Padres Prefer To Retain A.J. Preller, Bob Melvin In 2024
  • Brooks Robinson Passes Away
  • Reds’ Matt McLain Shut Down For Remainder Of 2023 Season
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Yankees Sign Richard Rodriguez To Minor League Contract

By Anthony Franco | July 7, 2022 at 2:31pm CDT

The Yankees recently signed reliever Richard Rodríguez to a minor league contract, as first reported by Chris Hilburn-Trenkle of Baseball America. According to the right-hander’s transactions log at MLB.com, he’s been assigned to the club’s Florida complex.

Rodríguez, 32, isn’t all that far removed from being one of the game’s better late-inning arms. He broke onto the big league scene with 69 1/3 frames of 2.47 ERA ball for the Pirates in 2018, kicking off a generally excellent three and a half year run in black and gold. He soaked up another 65 1/3 innings with a 3.72 ERA the following season before seemingly taking his game to another level in 2020. Rodríguez posted a 2.70 ERA through 24 contests during the shortened campaign, pushing his strikeout rate to an excellent 36.6% while only walking 5.4% of opponents.

That strong work both earned Rodríguez a closing role in Pittsburgh and made him one of the rebuilding club’s more interesting trade chips. His strikeouts plummeted during the first half of last season, though. Even as he continued to excel keeping runs off the board, the diminished swing-and-miss took its toll on his trade value. The Bucs flipped him to the Braves at last year’s deadline for Bryse Wilson and 2019 eighth-round pick Ricky DeVito.

Rodríguez made 27 appearances with Atlanta but only struck out nine batters in 26 innings. He allowed six home runs over that stretch and was a healthy scratch throughout the team’s World Series run. The Braves declined to tender him a contract at the end of the year, and Rodríguez hit free agency.

While he seemed a solid candidate for a buy-low big league deal, he lingered on the market until after the lockout. The reason became evident shortly after league business resumed, as he was hit in April with an 80-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. The suspension was announced just before Opening Day but was the result of a failed test from before the December 2 lockout.

Now that the ban is up, he’ll have to pitch his way back to the big leagues. He’ll presumably spend some time at the complex building into game shape before reporting to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The Yankees could eventually turn to Rodríguez as a late-season bullpen option, but he won’t be eligible for postseason play in 2022 as a result of his suspension. He has four-plus years of big league service time and won’t have enough time this season to eclipse the five-year threshold, so he’d be controllable through 2024 if he earns an MLB look and impresses club brass.

Share 0 Retweet 25 Send via email0

New York Yankees Transactions Richard Rodriguez

Giants Acquire Tobias Myers From Guardians
Main
Red Sox Select Michael Feliz; Likely To Activate Chris Sale On Tuesday
View Comments (46)

Comments

  1. Joe says...

    1 year ago

    Definitely worth a shot. Let’s see if the Yankees pitching coaches can work their magic again.

    9
    Reply
    • dadofdonnydownvote

      1 year ago

      As long as he’s allowed to use spider tack again good pickup…

      7
      Reply
      • RunDMC

        1 year ago

        Bulk order — dip into Cole’s locker.

        5
        Reply
    • Al Hirschen

      1 year ago

      Save the hair

      Reply
      • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

        1 year ago

        I was fined for (P) ED use at home, but we all need a second chance, It was hard to comply, but I made it, so can Rodriguez

        1
        Reply
        • B asin Balls

          1 year ago

          Teach him the split. s1ave the roogy.

          Reply
  2. DarkSide830

    1 year ago

    So do you not have to be on a 40 man roster to serve a MLB suspension now?

    1
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      1 year ago

      Seems reasonable. What team is going to sign a fringe player who is under a 80 game suspension? Also, doesn’t that PED suspension disqualify him from the post season?

      2
      Reply
      • DarkSide830

        1 year ago

        Oh assuredly, I like the change. I just d
        hadn’t know beforehand this change was made.

        Reply
      • LordD99

        1 year ago

        He is disqualified from the postseason, but it appears he has served his 80-game suspension. He’s a depth option who the Yankees will see if they can teach a new trick. He likely never pitches for the big league team.

        4
        Reply
    • bravesfan0618

      1 year ago

      80 games have passed

      Reply
  3. bobby cox

    1 year ago

    Has no movement. Big disappointment with Braves. Straight as an arrow over CF wall.

    6
    Reply
    • brave from the woods

      1 year ago

      When the crackdown on the sticky stuff happened, his magic was gone….

      2
      Reply
  4. mlb1225

    1 year ago

    Flyball pitcher who was in the <5% of pitchers in exit velocity and lost ~350 RPM off his fastball after they started to check for sticky substances in Yankee Stadium.

    What could go wrong?

    3
    Reply
  5. RyanD44

    1 year ago

    He was left off the postseason roster for the Braves, which made me wonder if he tested positive before the playoffs, and the test/suspension was under appeal until it was announced.

    3
    Reply
    • tstats

      1 year ago

      Or cause he just sucked second half

      3
      Reply
  6. bravesfan

    1 year ago

    Pretty nice low risk pickup for a really good team.

    1
    Reply
  7. CalcetinesBlancos

    1 year ago

    Wow, maybe Cashman really is trying to shave every beard in MLB.

    4
    Reply
    • Curly Was The Smart Stooge

      1 year ago

      Yanks were going to sign Pamela Lee Anderson, but shaving was a deal breaker…

      1
      Reply
  8. StudWinfield

    1 year ago

    Baneulos, Weber, Abreau and McKay 3 ER in 20.2 IP. That’s some next level dumpster diving.

    1
    Reply
  9. tiredolddude

    1 year ago

    Seeing that he’s a former Buc, I expect him to get called up and tear it up for the Yanks

    Reply
  10. whyhayzee

    1 year ago

    How is the ban up if he wasn’t under any contract?????? That’s ridiculous. Sign a contract, then sit your arse for 80 games. What a racket. MLB is joke when it comes to PED’s.

    So basically, HE WAS NEVER SUSOENDED!!!!!

    1
    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      1 year ago

      Yes, because teams are going to line up so sign a guy who woln’t be able to play…

      3
      Reply
    • LordD99

      1 year ago

      He was suspended in that no team would sign him, he sat out the first half of 2022, he made no money and he accrued no service time. He served his time.

      10
      Reply
    • SoCalBrave

      1 year ago

      you do realize that either way he didn’t get paid for the 80 day suspension? in fact, this way he missed way more than the 80 day suspension would have.

      1
      Reply
      • whyhayzee

        1 year ago

        I stand by my statement that he was never suspended. You can’t be suspended from a job you don’t have.

        1
        Reply
        • MudyChicken

          1 year ago

          He was suspended by League from playing in that league for 80 games. Otherwise, no team is going to sign a fringe player then wait half a season, too risky.

          1
          Reply
        • StudWinfield

          1 year ago

          You can’t be suspended if you are not under a contract to be suspended from. In essence he was banned.

          Reply
    • mlb1225

      1 year ago

      He’s still an employee under Major League Baseball, regardless if he is on a team or not.

      2
      Reply
      • Joe says...

        1 year ago

        whyhayzee only has his drawers in a knot because it’s the Yankees who made the signing. Any other team and he wouldn’t have said anything.

        3
        Reply
        • whyhayzee

          1 year ago

          Dang it Joe says…

          You’re on to me.

          Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          1 year ago

          I’d expect nothing less. It’s what you do and your purpose.

          1
          Reply
        • Poster formerly known as . . .

          1 year ago

          Go easy on whyhayzee. He’s still in mourning over Robinson Cano.

          1
          Reply
      • StudWinfield

        1 year ago

        How is he an employee if he’s not under contract?

        Reply
  11. Michalelchavisbooty

    1 year ago

    Great move by the Yankees

    1
    Reply
  12. Stan 2

    1 year ago

    No risk signing with a big upside. I like it

    2
    Reply
  13. bravesfan0618

    1 year ago

    Regrets, I’ve had a few, per old blue eyes, now Cashman.

    Reply
  14. Poster formerly known as . . .

    1 year ago

    Pedro Severino is catching for the Brewers after having been busted for PEDs in April of this year. He’ll still bank over a million bucks after the loss of salary.

    Ramon Laureano was busted in August of last year and forfeited only $249,680 during his 80-game suspension. Now he’s banking $2,450,000 playing in the outfield for the A’s.

    Frankie Montas was busted in June 2019, and until his recent shoulder inflammation teams were salivating at the chance of trading for him. He forfeited $240,880 during his suspension. This year he’s banking $5,025,000.

    I’m not crazy about signing Rodriguez to a minor-league deal, but if that’s the way the league rolls when it comes to other offenders, I find it hard to be the hanging judge in Rodriguez’s case when these other guys are making major league money and two of them have been touted as potentially great pickups at the trade deadline.

    Reply
  15. Poster formerly known as . . .

    1 year ago

    Let it be known that Hicks has his average up to .234 after going 2-4 tonight, and without his home run the Yanks wouldn’t have taken a lead into the ninth. Positive signs.

    Donaldson, too, has had a very good couple of days at the plate.

    Nice to eke out a win at Fenway with Judge and Rizzo on the bench.

    Reply
    • Mickey777

      1 year ago

      Fink,
      We’re on the same page as usual. Hicks can help the Yankees in the second half. Good outfielder and base runner and a switch hitter. He can also play all 3 outfield spots. Hope Donaldson is on his way back offensively, Gallo continues to make no sense on this roster!

      Reply
      • Poster formerly known as . . .

        1 year ago

        I’d love for Gallo to make Cashman look like a genius by going on a home run tear, but time’s running out.

        1
        Reply
  16. Poster formerly known as . . .

    1 year ago

    ‘BOSTON — If there’s one thing to know about Josh Winckowski, it’s that he’s not easy to impress.

    ‘He didn’t seem to think too highly of the Yankees’ offense after it pounded him for six runs in five innings as the Yankees won, 6-5, at Fenway Park on Thursday night.

    ‘“I think (Anthony) Rizzo and (Aaron) Judge lengthen their lineup,” Winckowski told reporters. “I’m not going to say the guys they had in there (Thursday) are bad, by any means, but it felt like another big-league lineup, to be honest.”’

    So, what you’re saying is, any big-league lineup could touch you up for six earned runs in five innings, and it would’ve gone worse for you if Rizzo and Judge had been in the lineup? And you’re, what — bragging about that?

    2
    Reply
    • Joe says...

      1 year ago

      Whatever helps him sleep at night I guess. LOL

      1
      Reply
      • whyhayzee

        1 year ago

        I wonder if Foreign Substance Man was “impressed” with Devers. Honestly, who cares?

        Reply
        • YankeesBleacherCreature

          1 year ago

          Can you go troll elsewhere? You’re like the unfunny stand-up comic who has ran out material now telling knock-knock jokes to an empty room in someone’s basement.

          2
          Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      1 year ago

      I think he was only reaching for things to comment about in front of the cameras. Some are better than others.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations

    Giants Fire Gabe Kapler

    Orioles Agree To 30-Year Lease At Camden Yards

    Padres Prefer To Retain A.J. Preller, Bob Melvin In 2024

    Brooks Robinson Passes Away

    Reds’ Matt McLain Shut Down For Remainder Of 2023 Season

    Padres Plan To Reduce Payroll To Around $200MM; Front Office Changes Possible

    Marlins Place Eury Perez On 15-Day Injured List, Select Jeff Lindgren

    Sandy Alcantara Shut Down For Rest Of 2023 Season

    Brandon Lowe To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Kneecap Fracture

    Rays Promote Junior Caminero

    Sean Doolittle Announces Retirement

    Tigers Name Jeff Greenberg General Manager

    Qualifying Offer Value To Land Around $20.5MM

    Shohei Ohtani Undergoes Elbow Surgery

    Marlins Claim Matt Moore From Guardians

    Rays To Announce New Stadium Deal

    Reds Designate Hunter Renfroe For Assignment

    Shohei Ohtani Out For Season With Oblique Strain

    Marcus Stroman To Pitch Out Of Bullpen

    Recent

    Reds Sign Nick Krall To Extension, Promote Him To President Of Baseball Operations

    Giants Fire Gabe Kapler

    Brewers Select Caleb Boushley, DFA Julio Teheran Amid Flurry Of Roster Moves

    Tigers To Hire Miguel Cabrera As Special Assistant Following 2023 Season

    Nationals Activate Tanner Rainey From 60-Day IL

    Offseason Chat Transcript: St. Louis Cardinals

    Details From Orioles’ Stadium Agreement

    Tyler Clippard Announces Retirement

    MLBTR Poll: Josh Bell’s Player Option

    Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals

    ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Shohei Ohtani Rumors
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top

    Register

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version