The Arizona Diamondbacks shocked everyone this past season by getting all the way through the National League to the World Series. And they are not resting on their laurels, making a huge move for a starting pitcher on Wednesday.
Arizona obviously came up short in the World Series against the Texas Rangers. And if there is one area that can be improved upon heading into the 2024 season, it may just be starting pitching.
They helped sure that need up on Wednesday. ESPN’s Jeff Passan broke the news that the Diamondbacks are signing Rodriguez to a four-year deal for around $20 million a year.
BREAKING: Left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez and the Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a four-year contract for around $20 million a year, pending physical, sources familiar with the agreement tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2023
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic provided some more details on the contract, stating that the deal is a four-year $80 million deal. There is also an option and potential bonuses on the deal that could make it a five-year deal worth as much as $99 million for Rodriguez.
Source confirms: Free-agent left-hander Eduardo Rodríguez in agreement with Diamondbacks on four-year, $80M contract. With vesting option and bonuses deal can reach five years and $99M. First: @JeffPassan.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2023
Rodriguez is coming off of the best season of his career, sporting a 3.30 ERA on the season with 143 strikeouts in 152.2 innings. It was a season that went under the radar to most fans considering the Detroit Tigers, his last team, had some obvious struggles last season.
It’s certainly a significant move for a contending team like the Diamondbacks. If he has a season anything like he had this past season, he should make a pretty big impact on this Diamondbacks team looking to prove that their World Series run wasn’t a fluke.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.