Rodriguez first signed with the Blue Jays in the winter of 2023 and was brought in as an arm that could potentially start games, which is exactly what happened when he was inserted into the starting rotation for his inaugural campaign. Rodriguez’s outright cut is one of the first roster cuts the team has made this offseason, following his defeat of Nick Sandlin a few weeks ago.
However, there are some key differences with Rodriguez. Ben Nicholson-Smith posted on This makes sense, as Rodriguez is due $17 million over the next three seasons, and the team was willing to part with that money without any quid pro quo. Since no team has filed a claim for Rodriguez, he is still in the Blue Jays system based on service time, as per the team’s social media release. This means Rodriguez will remain on the team heading into Spring Training as he works his way back into the big league roster.
We can infer a few things from Yariel’s move: 1) 29 teams claimed Rodriguez ($17 million over the next three years) 2) Blue Jays would have been fine with seeing him leave without a return 2) Jays prefer to leave Rodriguez off the 40-man roster, freeing up valuable cap space for someone else
Through 21 starts in 2024, Rodriguez posted a 4.47 ERA over 86 and 2/3 innings, with a 4.2 BB/9 and an 8.8 K9 with a 4.34 FIP. Last season he was moved to the bullpen, where the Cuban product posted a 3.08 ERA in 66 games; however, he was removed from the team’s playoff roster leading up to the World Series after compiling a 10.13 ERA in four postseason appearances (mostly against the Mariners) and struggled late in the campaign.
It’s hard to say if Rodriguez will be with the Blue Jays before Spring Training begins.
Sure, there’s a chance to bring him back to the big leagues if he makes the Opening Day roster, but $17 million not to be on your big league roster is a tough pill to swallow, even though the Jays have parted ways with big-money contracts before. Rodriguez will likely get every opportunity to earn a bullpen spot this spring, but this recent DFA could mean something is in the works this offseason as the Jays open up another roster spot.
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