Per reporter Francys Romero, Cuban right-handed reliever Yariel Rodriguez has been granted his release by the NPB’s Chunichi Dragons. Rodriguez figures to apply for MLB free agency in the near future, which could put him on the radar to sign with a big league club ahead of the 2024 season. The Dragons have not confirmed the report.
Rodriguez, 26, pitched in Cuba from his debut during the 2015-16 season until joining the Dragons in 2020. He was mostly a starter in Cuba, pitching to a 3.30 ERA with a 17.6% strikeout rate in 464 1/3 innings of work across six seasons, and maintained that role early in his NPB tenure. Overall, Rodriguez sports a 3.03 ERA and 25.4% strikeout rate since the start of the 2020 campaign, though he reached a whole new level of success in 2022, when he converted to full-time relief. In 54 2/3 innings of work with the Dragons that season, Rodriguez posted a microscopic 1.15 ERA with a 27.5% strikeout rate that was far and away the best of his career.
Most recently, Rodriguez started for Team Cuba during the 2023 World Baseball Classic. In two appearances for the team, Rodriguez allowed just two runs on five hits and six walks in 7 1/3 innings of work while notching ten strikeouts. Rodriguez did not otherwise play professionally during the 2023 season after leaving the Dragons back in March to work toward signing with a major league club. The Dragons maintained at the time that Rodriguez was still under contract with the club before placing him on the restricted list.
If Rodriguez does indeed get the opportunity to sign in the big leagues this offseason, he’ll be one of the more interesting relief options on the open market thanks to his youth and strong numbers in Japan. This offseason’s free agent relief class is headlined by southpaw Josh Hader, with fellow lefties Matt Moore and Aroldis Chapman also representing some of the best available, while the right-handed market features the likes of Jordan Hicks, David Robertson, and Joe Jimenez.
Y Rod Texas Ranger
We already have Yerry Rodriguez.
Oppsie I forgot he existed – probably better he gets DFA’d and replaced with this guy then
Phillies pls
The White Sox fit with numerous openings in their bullpen and their affinity for Cuban players. Pending free agent closer Josh Hader figures to be too expensive and likely prefers landing with a contender. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf is among the stingiest when it comes to free agent contracts but he has authorized plenty of dollars for bullpen arms recently.
A Yariel Rodriguez FA contract should come relatively cheap. I see a match here, even with a likely overpay by the ChiSox front office.
That does track. Jerry would surely spend money on this guy over giving a huge payday to Hader. Let’s see if Chris Getz this guy.
Guy sounds like he is a headcase with lots of baggage. Guy’s under contract with the Dragons and doesn’t bother to show up to play on his team? Good luck with which ever team picks this guy up.
Considering MLB is the ultimate goal, I don’t think he’ll go AWOL on his eventual North American team.
Perfect fit for the Reds!
Walks too many guys.
Having witnessed scary Hader with the Pads, I don’t get how he continues to merit positive press.
A 1.28 ERA and 33 saves will get you positive press.
How’d you get that scar, tough guy?