The Red Sox announced earlier this evening that the club has declined its club option on the services of left-hander Joely Rodriguez for the 2024 season. In lieu of exercising the $4.25MM option, the team will instead pay Rodriguez a $500K buyout to return to the open market.
The decision is hardly a surprising one, even though Rodriguez looked like an interesting pickup for Boston when he was signed to a $2MM guarantee last offseason. At the time of the signing, Rodriguez had spent the prior three seasons with the Rangers, Yankees, and Mets, pitching to a combined 4.28 ERA in 119 games with a sterling 3.14 FIP and a solid 25.5% strikeout rate. While those numbers indicated that the 31-year-old Rodriguez could be at least a solid middle reliever from the left side with perhaps even potential for a higher leverage role, that did not come to pass in 2023.
Instead of reaching the potential he has flashed in the past, Rodriguez suffered through an injury-marred season with the Red Sox this year. After starting the year on the injured list due to an oblique issue, Rodriguez then missed time with a shoulder strain and a recurring hip problem that eventually ended his season. All told, Rodriguez pitched just 11 innings for the Red Sox this year during which he allowed nine runs (eight earned) on 13 hits and six walks while striking out 14.
As Rodriguez returns to the open market, it’s certainly feasible that the lefty could be a quality bullpen arm for a club in 2024 if he manages to get healthy. That being said, between his lost 2023 campaign and past results that trended closer to average than the above-average production his underlying metrics might indicate, it seems likely that Rodriguez will be forced to settle for a minor league deal ahead of his age-32 campaign.
Looking toward the Red Sox, the bullpen in Boston is fairly well set up with Kenley Jansen and Chris Martin both returning for the late innings, not to mention the likes of Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski. That said, with both Rodriguez and Richard Bleier headed to the open market this winter, it’s certainly reasonable to wonder if the club could look for another left-handed relief option to pair with Brennan Bernardino in the bullpen. The free agent market has plenty of options available in the regard, including veteran set-up arms like Matt Moore and Will Smith.
Noooooooooo!
Hurt and ineffective will make him released from the A’s in spring training next year
Is Will Smith really an option though? Dude’s going to be looking for his 4th ring with 4 different teams in 4 years. He’s the lucky rabbits foot right now, I expect his market to be robust!
There is some team out there who will only focus on 14 K’s in 11 IP. Count on it.
I am LOVING THIS. Breslow is taking out the Bloom trash!!! He’s cleaning the slate of all the questionable roster moves by Bloom. That gives me hope that he’ll fix the defense as well.
So few guys should be on the roster before he starts to build the 2024 team:
13 Hitters
C – Wong
1B – Casas
2B – TBD
SS – Story (Trade bait if he improves his hitting)
3B – TBD
LF – Abreu
CF – Duran
RF – Rafaela
DH – Devers
Bench
C – TBD
CI – Dalbec
MI – Valdez
OF – TBD until Anthony is ready and Abreu becomes 4th OFer
13 pitchers
SP1 – TBD
SP2 – TBD
SP3 – Bello
SP4 – Houck
SP5 – Crawford
SP6 – Sale (he moves up if healthy)
Long Relief – Pivetta
Stress Inning – Whitlock
Closer = Jansen
Righty set-up – Martin and Winckowski
Lefty set-up – TBD and Bernardino
Unlike Bloom, Breslow will focus on the MLB roster first and worry about the AAA team after the MLB roster is set. No early dumpster dives like we’ve gotten used to with Bloom.
Needs in order:
1 – Devers DH
2 – SP1
3 – SP2
4 – 3B
5 – 2B
6 – Lefty set-up man
7 – Catcher (ideally a starter so Wong can be the back-up) It should take Teel 3 years to be the new starting catcher.
Fix the defense, fix the top of the rotation, fix 3B, fix 2B, add a lefty bullpen arm and add the best catcher possible. That’s it and Boston wins at least 95 games in 2024
Without the Devers move, it’s going to be hard to win 85 games.
Excess baggage that needs to be dealt with:
1 – Yoshida needs to be traded if Devers isn’t traded
2 – Verdugo might be a nice compliment to throw in if Devers or Yoshida are traded
The roster has many pre-Arb players that belong in AAA or lower so Breslow can return them back to where they should be and find 14 players to fill out the 40 man roster that don’t suck and can be called up to the MLB team if there is an injury. Bloom loaded the 26 to 40 slots with trash. Breslow is simply going to take out the trash and replace it with quality players that if called upon can perform so much better than what Bloom provided.
They aren’t turning Devers into a full time DH one year into his mega deal. They’re going to keep him at 3B as long as they possibly can, until he becomes borderline unplayable there. They’re going to need to keep DH open for Yoshida, as he’s arguably even worse in LF than Devers is at 3B. I didn’t like the Yoshida signing from the beginning, and I like it even less now. Still can’t believe him and Story are making a combined $41 million per year for the next four seasons. Maybe the Sox can trade them both along with some cash to the Padres for Bogaerts! I’m being sarcastic, but I honestly would probably rather have Xander for the next decade at $25 million per year than those two for the next four with what they’re being paid. Xander’s contract will be rough for the last few years of it, but he could be better than Story and Yoshida combined for at least the next four years.
HBan22 – Borderline unplayable was his 2017 defense and every year since!!!
The record for most seasons leading the league at errors at 3B is 6. Devers is tied for the lead after 6 seasons!!! All the other guys played 3B their entire career which was much more than 6 seasons.
That means he’s the worst in history!!! How many runs and games have been affected by Devers 129 errors in 821 games? I bet the pitching staff could tell you!!! Dude the single most important thing for Breslow to do is to move Devers to DH or trade him to lose the albatross contract Bloom did with him. By 33 years old, Devers will be Miggy Cabrera these last few years and he’ll be making $30MM a year. Dump him now if possible or at least save the pitching staff by putting him at DH.
Losing JD was dumb, losing Bogaerts was dumb, losing Nate is incredibly dumb and losing Mookie was profoundly dumb. Bloom sucked at his job but at least he wasn’t a cheater like Cora!!
If Breslow cares more about hurting Devers feelings than winning games he doesn’t belong in the POBO job. Devers must go to DH or be traded.
HBan22 – Your comment about Devers staying at 3B is so disturbing I need to provide even more perspective on just how incredibly BAD he is!!
Devers has 129 errors in 821 games with total chances of 2235
Arenado has 123 errors in 1483 games with total chances of 4382
Chapman has 70 errors in 861 games with total chances of 2585
Machado has 112 errors in 1289 games with total chances of 3564
Jose Ramirez has 81 errors in 925 games with total chances of 2232
These are the 3Bs making comparable money to Devers. Arenado has made 6 less errors in twice as many chances. Chapman has made 59 less errors in 350 more chances. Machado has made 17 less errors in 468 more chances and Jose Ramirez has made 48 less errors in 3 less chances.
Boston can’t keep allowing this many base runners to reach when the pitchers are doing their job. It’s a travesty and has been since 2017. Devers ONLY HAS ONE SKILL and that’s hitting. There is no discussing this fact as if it’s not rock solid accurate. His numbers are the worst in history. That speaks volumes and there is NO SIGN OF IMPROVEMENT.
If Devers was a team player he’d volunteer to be the DH to help the pitching staff but he’s a selfish ballplayer seeking one thing, fame. Not championships just self glorification. That’s why dealing him makes so much sense to improve the clubhouse and make it more one for all and all for one like the Rangers clubhouse. It really hurts having Cora and all his backstabbing ways in the dugout as well. Dump Cora and Devers and I think you’ll see a clubhouse that pulls for each other not just themselves. It will be hard to draw talent to Boston if inequities like letting Devers play defense are allowed. It shows it’s not a team first atmosphere.
I think Hban has a point though. They’re not going to trade a guy they just signed to a huge deal nor are they going to move him anytime soon. Henry would be admitting that he overreacted if either happened, he’s not going to do that.
I don’t see how losing JD was dumb? Justin Turner provided exactly what and did yet he also had positional flexibility allowing the defense to be better by putting yoshida at DH… they offered eovaldi 3 years 51 million it’s not their fault he declined that and tried to test the market and found out the hard way the money wasn’t there..
grnmt – Yeah I’ve been saying the same thing for a while now, Devers ain’t going to DH next year. That would only decrease his value if they were indeed going to shop him. Let’s see what a new coaching staff and new management can do, hopefully they will make Devers’ defense a top priority.
Fever – I would have to think that would be a top priority for Breslow. As a pitcher he knows the value of decent defense, cora on the other hand, likes to coddle his players players.
Fever: Agreed. Breslow said at his press conference that players need to be working every day to improve. I have some hope Devers can cut down on his errors. He should be able to reduce his throwing errors if he stops throwing side arm to first base.
Fever – Come on. Seriously? What’s best for the team isn’t important?
The guy needs to be traded before they see he’s NOT a 140 or higher OPS+ guy like his salary suggests. As of today, you can argue he had a bad year. In a year, you are screwed because he conclusively proves he’s not worth $30MM a year.
Either way, it’s best for the team to move him to DH or trade him before his contract becomes a bigger albatross than it already is.
All – Refusing to accept how bad Devers is puts restricts the upside of this team. You and Bloom seem to think it’s ok to be a .500 team.
Wake up!!! To win you must have defense. Devers can’t play defense at an acceptable level. Why not do what’s best for the team?
grnmtnyeti – Moving Devers has NOTHING to do with Henry. If anything, Henry should support that he just hired a brilliant GM who saw what was needed and did it. Not a gutless wonder like Bloom.
rsfan – The numbers can’t be any clearer.
Turner was paid $17.55MM for a 114 OPS+
JD was paid $10MM for a 134 OPS+
Trying to argue that it was a good move is ridiculous. The numbers don’t lie. It was a terrible move since JT is 3 years older and JD did so much for the franchise while he was here. It was dumb ass Bloom making yet another mistake.
grnmt – That’s one of the things that really raises questions about Cora, there was absolutely no indication of him attempting to do ANYTHING to improve glaring problems such as the defensive play of Devers. Sure Cora would SAY they’ve “got to do better”, but did anybody ever notice Cora or his buddy Febles putting in the time to make it happen? I don’t recall one coach, player or media person ever mentioning it being done.
TF – I see your point, but devaluing your franchise player who just signed a massive contract doesn’t seem to be what’s best for the team. Xander and many other players improved defensively over time, I still think it’s too soon to pull the plug on Devers. If he doesn’t improve and Casas doesn’t work out at first base for whatever reason (ie: health) then Devers can always move to first base in a year or two.
Keep in mind if Devers were to be traded soon, that would make other players think twice about signing longterm contracts with the Sox.
TF – Did you see the Free Agent Tracker yet?
JD is valued at $40M and JT is valued at $16M.
Proof positive who the better player is to have right now!
Fever – If you were a free agent and you knew what Bloom did these past four years would you come to Boston? Probably not.
Now, if you see the new guy move Devers to DH to fix the problems on defense and you are a top flight pitcher, would you be encouraged and more likely to sign with Boston?
We don’t need much hitting but we need pitching and nobody is going to want to pitch with Devers at 3B and Yoshida in left field. You would be a fool to take a contract with Boston with the horrendous defense that can’t get better without fixing the two worst spots.
I think the only long term ocntracts we are looking for this year will be 6 year deals for pitchers. Signing Chapman to play 3B probably wouldn’t be for more than 3 years since you have Mayer coming and Story can play 3B.
Pitchers want defense behind them. I’m speaking from experience. Nothing more aggravating than a bad fielder getting to play defense because of politics. Yamamoto and Nola won’t come to Boston if Devers is playing 3B. If they do, they are idiots and so is their agent!!!
TF – i agree with what you wrote, but Story’s excellent defensive play offsets some of Devers and if Rafaela plays 2B or SS then so would his. I would also think any FA pitcher would understand Devers gets moved within 1-2 years if he doesn’t improve defensively.
As for the hitting, runs scored can be misleading. Situational hitting is extremely important, and nobody was better this year than JT. So if he leaves, which he likely will, it would be difficult to replace his .943 OPS with RISP.
Fever – precisely. I’m not refusing to accept how bad he is defensively, it’s just I, like you, still am willing to give him time to improve. Wade Boggs went from awful to eventually a GG winner.
Dever’s errors at 3B are costly, he has a cannon arm and obviously great eyesight .. why not consider LF for him?
Bloody – When JD was with the team people argued Devers would be better than JD in LF. I have watched him mishandle pop-ups so I have my doubts about his ability to track and catch fly balls. His cannon of an arm is often described as erratic with respect to throwing to a location. The outfield won’t fix that flaw in Devers game.
They need to burn his glove(s) and insist he play his natural position of DH. Frankly, even at DH where he would eliminate all his errors and be more helpful to the team he’s still not worth $30MM.
Also, for Devers first 6 seasons he had guys like Mookie, Benny, JD and Bogey hitting around him. His high level of productivity came from being part of a loaded line-up. Those days are over until changes are made to improve the hitting. Guys like Yoshida should bat in front of him so they are on base so he has someone to drive in. Verdugo only plays well in the first half so he won’t be helpful to Devers all year long. Story still hasn’t hit.
Devers needs Casas, Duran and Anthony to be his new Mookie, Bogey and JD. That’s not going to happen for a couple of years so Devers productivity during at least his first two years of his monumental contract will be bad. Four years after that he’ll be entering his big drop off year so his 29-32 yr old season are probably the only ones that have a chance of him providing production equal to his pay. $300MM for 4 good years seems like a very expensive mistake by Bloom and Ownership.
Breslow will need to be a magician to make Devers contract close to acceptable for the first six years. After that, they can DFA him and eat the money.
Arlie Latham played 3B for 6 teams from 1880 to 1909. He committed 822 errors during his career while playing on some of the most god awful infields that existed over 140 years ago. 13 times he exceeded 50 errors in a season back when the score keepers weren’t asked to cheat for the star players. I bet he was better than Devers!!! hahaha The top 26 3Bs leading in errors all were born between 1847 and 1870. It was a different era back then so the numbers are not comparable.
The worst of the modern era 3Bs is Pie Traynor.who played for Pittsburgh beginning in 1920 (103 years ago)!! He made 364 errors in 16 seasons and carried a .947 fielding percentage. He’s 27th on the all-time list after all the guys from the dead ball era. 30th on the list is a Cub many of you may be familar with – Ron Santo. He made 317 in 15 seasons and had a .954 fielding percentage. Mike Schmidt is 32nd on the list with 313 errors in 18 seasons and had a .955 fielding percentage. At 33rd is the far over-rated fielder Adrian Beltre who made 311 errors in 21 seasons with a fielding percentage of .960 despite winning 5 gold gloves one of which coming during a season he made 18 errors. Who says awards aren’t politically driven!!! haha this guy was a mini butcher but had a brilliant Public Relations team suggesting he wasn’t that bad!!
There are only 2 3Bs with more errors than Devers that are still active. Evan Longoria is 122nd with 160 errors in 16 seasons with a fielding percentage of .966. Josh Donaldson is 143rd on the list with 141 in 12 seasons and a fielding percentage of .959. Both Donaldson and Longoria are age 37 whereas Devers is 26 and ranked third among active players with 129 in 7 sseasons and a fielding percentage of .942!!! Yes, he’s roughly 20 points below the worst of the worst that are still playing AND he’s played 10 years less!!!!
If you look in an Encyclopedia for bad fielding 3Bs there is a picture of Devers!!!!
I have not presented ONE exaggeration in all these numbers. He is THAT BAD!!!
He hurts the team each time he puts a fielding glove on his left hand. That needs to change NOW not after another miserable fielding year where he hurts the pitching staff by allowing up to 50 additional base runners because the score keepers are now only recording 1 out of every 3 misplayed balls by Devers. In his best season of 2022 he had 14 errors and 52 misplays. 38 base runners got hits on balls a normal 3B would have turned into outs. Pretend you pitch for Boston, how angry would you be knowing this problem could be fixed but the needs of Devers comes before the needs of the team?
Urias is next.
Yankees legend
Somewhere, Alex Cora is weeping.
Victor Robles had his option declined and remained with Washington because he was in arbitration (Arb3– five service years); is Joely Rodriguez a free agent because he had previously been outrighted twice? He’s still in Arb1.
Another Bloom BBB gone by the wayside
I like Devers the player absent the whole contract thing. They offered it he took it. End of story. His defense will improve in 2024. We will have a new fielding (throwing?) coach who will make him a priority. We will DH him 42 games which will cut down the numbers. Massa needs to rest more often as the adjustment to the travel and length of season wears these imports down their first two years.
I believe CB gets it and will ask (motivate) Cora to do the right thing. Being voted MFPM (Most Friendly Players Manager) won’t mean squat when his contract expires and he becomes a roving recruiter of “Island Players”.
BeeCarbo – Pointing out the fact that Devers is the worst in history doesn’t speak to the personality of the player it speaks to his lack of talent on defense.
If you think he will improve in 2024 then you are a fool or the perfect definition of insanity. Either way, IT SIMPLY WON’T HAPPEN. Score keepers can change the facts by recording 30 or 40 misplays as hits for the other team but we all know a good 3B would have made the play and so the team is hurt each time it happens.
Devers was bad at 16 in the Dominican Republic Baseball Acadamy, he was terrible in the minors and he is still terrible in the majors after 7 partial seasons. You are a complete fool to expect anything different.
Just to prove how misguided you are about fielding you now are suggesting the known bad Japanese defender is also going to suddenly revert from EVERYTHING he’s done in his career at fielding too? Seriously dude, get some help. You live in a fantasy world. Horrendous fielding trends don’t change suddenly after years and years of butchery in the field.
If CB as you call him asks Cora to do the right thing then he would fire him. He’s worse at coaching than Devers is on defense. MFPM when refering to Cora is not what you think it is. I know the initial MF part stands for something completely different!!! He’s the biggest cheater of all time.
Can’t say I’ve read a more misguided comment on this site.