Breaking Down Eduardo Rodriguez's Contract with D-backs

Reporting the details of the salary structure and the 2028 option on Rodriguez's four-year contract with the Diamondbacks.

Today, the Diamondbacks officially announced the signing of free agent left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez's contract and will hold a press conference introducing him on Tuesday. Rodriguez is guaranteed $80 million but could earn as much as $100 million due to a vesting option for 2028 and unreported bonuses in his deal. Robert Murray of Fansided reported the structure of the deal on X.

The option in Rodriguez’s contract vests at $17 million with 150ip in ‘27 or 300ip in ‘26-’27. It would vest at $18 million with 175ip in ‘27 or 250ip in ‘26-’27.

The deal also includes bonuses and a limited no-trade clause. https://t.co/ob2KtfyF1M

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) December 8, 2023

Rodriguez's salaries under the contract are the following:

• 2024: $14 million
• 2025: $20 million
• 2026: $21 million
• 2027: $19 million

There is also a vesting option in 2028 that will trigger based on the number of innings he pitches between 2026 and 2027. The vesting option will trigger and pay Rodriguez $17 million if he either reaches 150 innings in 2027 or 250 innings between 2026 and 2027. The value of the option increases to $18 million if those respective innings totals increase to 175 or 300. Should Rodriguez fail to meet those innings thresholds, the option becomes a mutual option for $17 million with a $6 million buyout.

Rodriguez is expected to slot in as the D-backs No. 3 starter for the 2024 season and beyond, giving them a veteran left-handed option in their rotation. Brandon Pfaadt, coming off an impressive postseason showing, will slide down to the No. 4 spot and the team can have the rest of their young starting pitching depth compete for the last rotation spot. Left-hander Tommy Henry likely has the inside track after pitching to a 4.15 ERA in 16 starts last season, with Slade Cecconi, Bryce Jarvis, Ryne Nelson, and Blake Walston serving as in-season reinforcements for the rotation.