Red Sox Rival Reportedly Signs Rumored Boston Free Agent Target

One rumored Red Sox free agent target reportedly is off the market

It sounds like another free-agent pitcher is off the market.

The Boston Red Sox desperately need to improve the starting rotation but possible options continue to fly off the board without Boston getting a deal done.

The latest rumored Boston target to sign elsewhere now is Cuban fireballer Yariel Rodríguez. The righty has been in rumors lately and reportedly agreed to a deal with the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, according to MLB.com's Francys Romero.

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

Rodríguez has been an intriguing player to look out for this offseason. He didn't pitch in 2023 but has eight seasons of professional baseball under his belt. The 26-year-old most recently joined the Chunichi Dragons in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2020 and remained with the club through the 2022 season.

He attempted to make the jump to the big leagues in 2023 but still was under contract with the Dragons.

Boston showed interest in Rodríguez earlier this offseason and even attended a private workout, but hasn't been linked to him in recent weeks. 

Rodríguez has a career 3.07 ERA in 184 total professional appearances and now will join Toronto. It's unclear exactly what role he will play, but he likely will at least begin the season as a starter. He has experience as a starter and a reliever but it has been rumored that he would start his big league career as a starter.

There still are plenty of solid options out there for Boston but time is starting to run out. 

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