It’s official.

On Friday morning, the Blue Jays officially signed 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez to a five-year, $32 million deal.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
DONE DEAL. ✍️
The <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlueJays</a> have signed RHP Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year, $32M contract. 🇨🇺 <a href="https://t.co/gKrwts3ins">pic.twitter.com/gKrwts3ins</a>
&mdash; Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) <a href="https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1755971243939856749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Rodríguez spent three seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Baseball League where he had a 3.03 ERA in 175.1 innings pitched, with a 25.4 K% and a 10.4 BB%. His final season in the NPB was in 2022, where he had a 1.15 ERA and a 27.5 K% and an 8.3 BB% in 54.2 innings pitched after moving to the bullpen.
The Cuban pitcher hasn’t pitched since the World Baseball Classic, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched along with 10 strikeouts and six walks. 
It’s predicted that the Blue Jays will try and stretch out Rodríguez this season, with him eventually becoming a full-time starter in 2025. That’s the hope, at least, but still, $6.4 million a season for a pitcher that sits in the mid-90s with the fastball, a great slider and a developing splitter.
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Yariel Rodríguez WBC highlights for your viewing pleasure, Blue Jays fans. <a href="https://t.co/P89OaQIC9i">pic.twitter.com/P89OaQIC9i</a>
&mdash; Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradling) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/1747697833883689210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
To make room for Rodríguez, the Blue Jays have designated Otto López for assignment. At one point, the 25-year-old utility player was a top 10 Blue Jays prospect, slashing .297/.378/.415 with three homers in 391 plate appearances in Triple-A during the 2022 season.
Unfortunately for López, he only slashed .258/.313/.343 with two homers in 346 plate appearances in 2023 with the Buffalo Bisons for a 65 wRC+, by far the lowest mark in his career. His 2023 season was full of injuries, prompting the Jays to send him to the Dominican Winter League.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Otto Lopez is driving this bus 😤🇨🇦 <a href="https://twitter.com/baseballcanada?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BaseballCanada</a> <a href="https://t.co/tCNwRHOYA8">pic.twitter.com/tCNwRHOYA8</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1635760064194568193?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
López had some success with Leones del Escogido in LIDOM, slashing .310/.351/.483 with two homers in 94 plate appearances, along with a 6.4 BB% and a 13.8 K%. I’d say it’s a 50/50 chance that López is claimed off waivers.
Hopefully, the Jays realize they need to continue to be active during free agency and sign either Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman, but a trade would be alright as well.
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As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
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It’s official.



On Friday morning, the Blue Jays officially signed 26-year-old right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez to a five-year, $32 million deal.

https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1755971243939856749

Rodríguez spent three seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Baseball League where he had a 3.03 ERA in 175.1 innings pitched, with a 25.4 K% and a 10.4 BB%. His final season in the NPB was in 2022, where he had a 1.15 ERA and a 27.5 K% and an 8.3 BB% in 54.2 innings pitched after moving to the bullpen.

The Cuban pitcher hasn’t pitched since the World Baseball Classic, where he posted a 2.45 ERA in 7.1 innings pitched along with 10 strikeouts and six walks. 

It’s predicted that the Blue Jays will try and stretch out Rodríguez this season, with him eventually becoming a full-time starter in 2025. That’s the hope, at least, but still, $6.4 million a season for a pitcher that sits in the mid-90s with the fastball, a great slider and a developing splitter.

https://twitter.com/Shawn_Spradling/status/1747697833883689210

To make room for Rodríguez, the Blue Jays have designated Otto López for assignment. At one point, the 25-year-old utility player was a top 10 Blue Jays prospect, slashing .297/.378/.415 with three homers in 391 plate appearances in Triple-A during the 2022 season.

Unfortunately for López, he only slashed .258/.313/.343 with two homers in 346 plate appearances in 2023 with the Buffalo Bisons for a 65 wRC+, by far the lowest mark in his career. His 2023 season was full of injuries, prompting the Jays to send him to the Dominican Winter League.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1635760064194568193

López had some success with Leones del Escogido in LIDOM, slashing .310/.351/.483 with two homers in 94 plate appearances, along with a 6.4 BB% and a 13.8 K%. I’d say it’s a 50/50 chance that López is claimed off waivers.

Hopefully, the Jays realize they need to continue to be active during free agency and sign either Cody Bellinger or Matt Chapman, but a trade would be alright as well.

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As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

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