Report: DBacks agree to terms with free-agent starting LHP Eduardo Rodriguez
The Diamondbacks landed the starting pitcher they had been searching for all offseason, agreeing to terms on a four-year deal with free-agent left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez on Wednesday night, according to an ESPN report.
Rodriguez, who turns 31 in April, posted a 3.30 ERA in 152 2/3 innings last season for the Detroit Tigers. He owns a 4.03 ERA in parts of eight seasons, most of it spent with the Boston Red Sox.
That history in Boston might have played a part in him landing with the Diamondbacks, whose general manager, Mike Hazen, and assistant GM, Amiel Sawdaye, were members of the Red Sox front office when Rodriguez arrived in the majors.
Reaction: What do MLB writers think of the Diamondbacks' deal with Eduardo Rodriguez?
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported the deal to be worth $80 million over four years with a vesting option for a fifth year plus bonuses that could push the total value of the contract to $100 million. ESPN's Jeff Passan first reported news of the agreement. MLB Network's Jon Morosi was the first to report the Diamondbacks as finalists for Rodriguez earlier in the evening.
In landing Rodriguez on a four-year deal, he not only gives the Diamondbacks another legitimate arm to round out their rotation for next year, he also helps build out the starting staff for years to come, an important consideration for a club that has right-handers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly under contract for only the next two seasons.
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The deal comes at a time when the Diamondbacks are still on the hook to pay left-hander Madison Bumgarner $14 million in the final year of what was a disastrous five-year, $85 million deal.
Hazen said at the conclusion of the World Series that the club’s experience with that deal would not prevent him from pushing forward on another sizeable free-agent expenditure.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Report: DBacks agree to terms with starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez
