Toronto Blue Jays: 3 players to target for bullpen

Richard Rodriguez

Richard Rodriguez entered the season as the favorite to take over the ninth inning for the Pirates. While he had performed well last season, he did not exactly have a track record as a closer. However, it was not as though the Pirates had much to lose by giving him the ninth and seeing what they had.

Needless to say, this experiment has gone better than the Pirates could have imagined. Rodriguez has had a breakout season this year, posting a 2.43 ERA and a 0.780 WHiP over his 33.1 innings, striking out 27 batters with just three walks on the season. He has notched 11 saves in his 13 chances this year, a solid showing considering the Pirates’ struggles.

That performance has made the 31 year old one of the top trade candidates heading to the trade deadline. While he is under team control through 2023, the Pirates’ own time frame to contend once more will extend beyond that point. It may be the perfect time to trade Rodriguez as his value might not be higher.

Although that would mean that the Toronto Blue Jays would be acquiring him at the peak of his value, they would also get a longer term asset for their bullpen. The window to contend is open now, and while Rodriguez does not have the same sort of track record as a closer, his age and inexpensive price tag financially are perfect fits.

Richard Rodriguez can help a team looking to contend over the next few years. The Toronto Blue Jays are that type of team.