Red Sox make their first free agent signing of the offseason
On the eve of Thanksgiving, the Red Sox made their first free agent signing off the offseason. The Red Sox signed former Mets reliever Joely Rodriguez to a one-year deal with a club option for 2024. In 2023, Rodriguez will make $1.5 million, with another $2 million possible. Rodriguez is an intriguing piece as the Red Sox look to upgrade their bullpen.
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In 2022, the 31-year-old appeared in a career-high 55 games for the Mets and posted a 4.47 ERA. He struck out 57 batters in 50.1 innings and allowed three home runs. While his numbers may not jump off the page, he held opponents to a .226 batting average.
Additionally, Rodriguez already has experience pitching in the AL East. During the 2021 campaign, he appeared in 21 games for the Yankees and posted a 2.84 ERA. During his brief stint in pinstripes, he was able to limit home runs.
Although the Dominican native has a high ERA, he induces a lot of weak contact and groundballs. He has the ability to get righties and lefties out, which is a plus for Boston. Rodriguez’s strength lies in his strikeout numbers, as during his one season with the Mets, he had a 26.4 strikeout rate.
While Boston’s first move of the offseason isn’t a blockbuster signing like many hoped for, Rodriguez could be a valuable piece. The Red Sox were light on lefties in the second half of the 2022 campaign due to injuries and inconsistencies. Rodriguez gives them another lefty option with upside.
The Red Sox are expected to be a busy team as the offseason progresses. After weeks of rumors, they finally made their first move. Rodriguez will only be the start as the Red Sox reshape their roster and put a disappointing 2022 campaign in the rearview mirror.
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