Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox: The time to extend Eduardo Rodriguez is now

By Nick Stevens

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 29: Eduardo Rodriguez #57 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the second inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 29, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 29: Eduardo Rodriguez #57 of the Boston Red Sox delivers a pitch against the New York Yankees during the second inning of a Grapefruit League spring training game at JetBlue Park at Fenway South on February 29, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Boston Red Sox should look to extend Eduardo Rodriguez as soon as possible.

For Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, 2020 was about much more than just continuing to build off back-to-back impressive seasons on the mound and cementing his role as the ace of the Red Sox staff.

After suffering from a heart condition, an effect of contracting COVID-19, Rodriguez missed the entire 2020 season with his future as a professional baseball player up in the air.

In a rare bit of good news over the last few months, Eduardo Rodriguez is reportedly healthy again and prepared to suit up for the Boston Red Sox in 2021, including a full-go status for spring training.

light. More Red Sox. Pedroia facing the inevitable

From a baseball standpoint, this is great news for the Red Sox. Boston currently features a rotation of Rodriguez, Nathan Eovaldi, Tanner Houck, and Nick Pivetta, with Chris Sale still sidelined as he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

It’s a rotation in need of a few additions this offseason ahead of the 2021 season, but if we zoom out a bit and take a look at the future of the Boston Red Sox, locking down Eduardo Rodriguez to a long-term deal soon would be a smart move.

There a few bumps in the road to just signing their top arm to a deal that make this a not-so straightforward decision, like the long-term health of Rodriguez and the current financial state of baseball due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but assuming the Red Sox are satisfied with his medical reports, locking down their ace now will prevent a number of headaches down the road.

Still just 27 years old, Rodriguez finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting in 2019, going 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, and a 25% strikeout rate across 203 innings. He was worth a career-high 3.7 Wins Above Replacement and has been a steady producer since making his MLB debut back in 2015 (10.7 career fWAR).

He’s the top arm in Boston’s rotation and one of the top young arms in baseball. Letting Rodriguez walk after the 2021 season, when he becomes a free agent, would make it extremely difficult for the Red Sox to retain his services.

Assuming the financial landscape of the sport improves over the next year, Rodriguez would be one of the top available arms on the market and command a sizeable contract, even with his limited track record.

If Boston moves on extending Rodriguez now, perhaps a favorable deal can be made. With some uncertainty still in the air about his future and an eagerness for some stability after an unforgettable 2020, would Rodriguez cut a deal with Boston? Or is he going to try and prove himself in 2021 with another big year and force Boston to up the ante?

Next. Rich Hill open to a return to Boston. dark

If the Boston Red Sox view Eduardo Rodriguez as a long-term piece at the top of their rotation, the time to move on a contract extension is now.

Home/Boston Red Sox