MLB

MLB Offseason Round-Up: Rodríguez to Jays, Yankees Add VanMeter as Depth

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2024

This is one in a series of daily articles highlighting the latest news and notes from the MLB offseason.

Yet another starting pitcher target for the Pittsburgh Pirates is off the board. The Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement with right-hander Yariel Rodríguez, as baseball insider Francys Romero first reported.

It’s a four-year agreement worth $32 million between the two sides. The deal is still pending some hurdles, including a physical.

As the Pirates did, the Blue Jays viewed Rodríguez as a starting pitcher. Since he did not pitch professionally in 2023, he may be utilized as a swing man to manage his workload.

Rodríguez, 27 in March, has pitched professionally in both Cuba and Japan. In three seasons pitching in the NBP in Japan from 2020-22, the right-hander went 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA across 79 appearances.

If the Cuban-native ultimately joins the Blue Jays’ rotation full-time, he will join an impressive group that includes Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi.

The Pirates will now have to look elsewhere as they are still in search of another addition to their starting rotation this MLB offseason. Both free agency and trades are in play.

OTHER NEWS AND NOTES

Former Pirates’ infielder Josh VanMeter is in agreement with the New York Yankees on a minor league deal, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. VanMeter appeared in 67 games for the Pirates in 2022.