Cuban Free Agent Yariel Rodríguez Reportedly Agrees to Deal With Toronto Blue Jays

While there are still a few hurdles left to clear, it appears as if top Cuban free agent Yariel Rodríguez will be joining the Toronto Blue Jays for the 2024 season.

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a contract with Cuban right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, Francys Romero reported Wednesday.

According to Romero, Rodríguez is set to sign a four-year, $32 million contract with his new team after he undergoes a physical in Toronto in the coming days.

The Boston Red Sox, Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres were the other teams known to be pursuing Rodríguez since he hit the open market in November, but multiple reports had pegged the Blue Jays as the favorites to land him in recent weeks.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi confirmed Romero's initial report, adding that there are still a few details left to hash out between Rodríguez and the Blue Jays. One of the final hurdles left to clear, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, was Rodríguez's immigration status.

Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodríguez (26) and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a contract, per sources.

Rodríguez is expected to do the physical in the coming days in Toronto.

He is represented by WME agency and Edgar Mercedes from Born to Play. pic.twitter.com/o1Wddu2Nit

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 17, 2024

Rodríguez spent three seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball, but he did not pitch in 2023 and he was released from his contract on Oct. 5.

The 26-year-old from Camaguey, Cuba, started his professional career at 18 years old in the Cuban National Series. Across seven seasons with Ganaderos de Camaguey, Lenadores de Las Tunas and Gallos de Sancti Spiritus, Rodríguez went 31-26 with a 3.30 ERA, primarily as a starter.

After going to Japan to join the Dragons in 2020, Rodríguez went 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA over the course of 79 appearances and 175.1 innings.

As a starter for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in March, Rodríguez allowed just two earned runs with 10 strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Rodríguez did walk six batters and hit two more, though.

It remains to be seen if the Blue Jays plan to use Rodríguez as a starter or reliever.

Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt and Yusei Kikuchi are all back, as is Alek Manoah. If Manoah is unable to recover from his nightmare 2023 campaign, either Rodríguez or top prospect Ricky Tiedemann could be looked at as his replacement in the rotation.

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