Eduardo Rodriguez (a.k.a. E-Rod), who has pitched his entire MLB career with the Boston Red Sox, has reportedly signed a five year, $77 million deal with the Detroit Tigers. E-Rod has an opt out provision after the 2023 season.
The Venezuelan born southpaw signed with the Baltimore Orioles at the age of 16 in 2010. The O's would trade Rodriguez to the Red Sox in a trade deadline deal for lefty reliever Andrew Miller in 2014. E-Rod made his MLB debut in 2015 and has been a mainstay in the starting rotation. After earning a World Series ring in 2018, E-Rod won a career high 19 games in 2019 finishing 6th in AL Cy Young balloting. Unfortunately, he would miss the entire 2020 season due to being infected with COVID-19.
In 2021, E-Rod went 13-8 while posting a career high ERA of 4.74. He enters the 2022 season with a 62-39 record with a career ERA of 4.16 striking out 892 batters in 856.2 innings pitched in 159 appearances (153 of them starts).
During his Red Sox career, E-Rod benefited greatly from run support. It remains to be seen if the Tigers can provide him with the same kind of offensive output at Comerica Park. On the other hand, E-Rod gets to work with the newly acquired Tucker Barnhart. So perhaps E-Rod can make some adjustments.
Personally, I've always thought E-Rod would make a wonderful set up man or closer. But he has been a serviceable enough starting pitcher to earn more than $75 million over the next five years. So what do I know?
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