PHOENIX-. Los Arizona Jingle Bells and the pitcher Venezuelan Eduardo Rodríguez They agreed to sign an $80 million, four-year contract, a person with knowledge of the deal said.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team has not announced the decision.
Rodríguez gives the NL champions another quality starter in the rotation. The 30-year-old left-hander spent the last two years with the Detroit Tigers going 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 2023.
The Venezuelan joins a rotation that includes Cy Young finalist Zac Gallen, veteran Merrill Kelly and youngsters like Brandon Pfaadt and Tommy Henry.
ESPN first reported that they had reached an agreement.
Rodríguez used his no-trade clause and blocked a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 1. His agent cited family reasons.
After the season, Rodríguez opted to terminate his contract with three years and $49 million remaining and became a free agent.
Now he reaches some Rattlesnakes who need help. On its way to the World Series, Arizona had only three starters and used the bullpen in game 4 of the National Championship Series and World Series.
Rodríguez spent six years between 2015 and 2021 with the Red Sox, a team he helped win the 2018 World Series. His best year was 2019 when he finished 19-6, with a 3.81 ERA in 34 starts.
But he missed the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign due to a heart problem resulting from COVID-19. The Red Sox confirmed that Rodríguez had evidence of myocarditis and inflammation of the heart.
A healthy Rodriguez returned the following year and went 13-8 with a 4.74 ERA and 157 2/3 innings with Boston. He became a free agent and signed a five-year, $77 million deal with Detroit in November 2021.
