The Boston Red Sox need pitching desperately this offseason, and Chief of Baseball Operations Craig Breslow has also made that known. That is what they will be attacking this offseason. They have been linked to almost every name possible, as they usually are, but this offseason might seem different. On Saturday, RHP Yariel Rodriguez held a workout, and the Red Sox and San Diego Padres were there.
Yariel Rodriguez By The Numbers
Rodriguez did not pitch in 2023 as he was looking for a Major League Contract, but in 2022, he pitched in the Japan Central League, making 56 appearances, going 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA, a 0.91 ERA, a 0.0 HR/9, a 3.0 BB/9, and a 9.9 K/9. He hasn’t made a start since 2022 when he was with the Cuban National League, and he also appeared in three total games, going 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, a 0.0 HR/9, a 3.7 BB/9, and a 10.4 K/9. Rodriguez pitched in the World Baseball Classic for team Cuba, appearing in two games, both of which were starts going 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, a 0.0 HR/9, a 7.4 BB/9, and a 12.3 K/9 in 7.1 innings of work.
Bottom Line:
It remains to be seen what the plan for Rodriguez may be; he has been effective in his career as a start and reliever. The Red Sox bullpen is solid but could use an arm. The real thing that needs to be addressed is their starting rotation, so it would be expected if Boston were to sign him, they would be viewing him as a Starter, and he may well be a fallback plan if they can’t get Yamamoto or any of the other top tier free agents. They could also head into Spring Training with Rodriguez, Tanner Houck, and Nick Pivetta and have them fight it out for the number five spot; it’ll be interesting to see what happens as the stove begins to heat up in free agency with the Winter Meeting about to take place in two weeks.
