How Red Sox's First Signing Impacts Rest Of Offseason Plans Ahead Of Busy Winter

Boston has filled one of many needs

Scott Neville | Nov 23, 2022

How Red Sox's First Signing Impacts Rest Of Offseason Plans Ahead Of Busy Winter /

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Boston Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox dipped into the free-agent market for the first time on Wednesday, bolstering one of the weakest groups on the roster.

The Red Sox signed left-handed reliever Joely Rodriguez on a one-year deal for $2 million guaranteed plus incentives and a club option for 2024, the team announced.

The 31-year-old posted a 2-4 record with a 4.47 ERA, 57-to-36 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .226 batting average against in 50 1/3 innings pitched last season.

While his game-level stats are lackluster, Rodriguez's underlying metrics are quite encouraging.

Everything You Need To Know About Red Sox's First Notable Offseason Signing

Boston's rather impatient fanbase is upset that the team has not acquired multiple perennial All-Stars by this point in the offseason. It is a good time to note that Rodriguez is just the second Major League Baseball free agent to join another team.

Left-handed starter Tyler Anderson is the only other player to switch teams, making the jump from the Los Angeles Dodgers to the Los Angeles Angels. In other words, Boston is one of two teams to sign an external free agent. It's a little too early to panic.

While it would be great for Boston to have shortstop Xander Bogaerts re-signed and third baseman Rafael Devers locked up for the next decade, this move should not be discredited.

Rodriguez bolsters a bullpen that ranked No. 26 in the league with a frankly unacceptable 4.59 ERA last season. Rodriguez adds another quality arm with legitimate upside to the group.

The former New York Met also adds to a group of southpaws that currently includes Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez. The former spent the entire season attempting to rehab but never made an appearance for Boston, and the latter appears to have taken a step back in his development.

Rodriguez can be the primary lefty out of the bullpen on Opening Day, regardless of what happens to the other two.

The only real impact Rodriguez's signing will have on the offseason is that Matt Strahm -- who reportedly aims to be a starter next season anyway -- might not have a place on the 2023 roster.

The bullpen still needs multiple additions, but Rodriguez's acquisition is a small step in the right direction.

Offseason moves rarely happen in order of importance. Do not resort to the idea that Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom has taken his eyes off the likes of Bogaerts, Devers or some of the premier talents on the market.

There's still a lot of money left to spend, and plenty of talent available.

More MLB: Red Sox Reportedly Sign Former Cubs Utility Outfielder To Free Agent Deal

Published Nov 23, 2022

SCOTT NEVILLE

Scott Neville covers the Boston Red Sox for Sports Illustrated's new page "Inside The Red Sox." Before starting "Inside The Red Sox", Neville attended Merrimack College, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media with a minor in Marketing. Neville spent all four years with Merrimack's radio station WMCK, where he grew as a radio/podcast host and producer. His propensity for being in front of a microphone eventually expanded to film, where he produced multiple short films alongside his then-roommate and current co-worker Stephen Mottram. On a journey that began as a way to receive easy credits via film classes, he received a call from "It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia" star Charlie Day. Day advised him to make a feature-length film, which he completed his senior year. While writing the film, Neville completed an internship for United Way as part of their NFL Partnership Program. Neville ran the blog for a team of interns and hosted an internet show called "United Way's NFL Partnership Series" where he interviewed NFL alumni. After college Neville wrote for SB Nation's "Over The Monster," a Red Sox sister site of the flagship brand. His work would eventually lead him to a job as a content producer with NESN, where he would cover all sports. After developing as a writer with the top regional network in the world, he was given the opportunity to join the Sports Illustrated Media Group in his current endeavor as the publisher of "Inside The Red Sox." The successful launch and quick rise of "Inside The Red Sox" led to Neville joining the Baseball Essential ownership group, a national baseball site under SIMG. Follow him on Twitter: @ScottNeville46 Email: nevilles@merrimack.edu