The Boston Red Sox dropped another game today due to a poor performance from their starting pitcher. Eduardo Rodriguez has gotten by on potential but that will only get him so far. Is it time to move on?
The Red Sox are off to what can only be described as the worst case scenario for a title defense. The bats aren’t connecting, the pitching isn’t lights-out, nothing is clicking at this point. Boston is almost through their 11-game road trip and is carrying a record of 2-6 into Arizona for the final 3 games. One man that is struggling heavily is Eduardo Rodriguez.
Now, none of the starting rotation is shining particularly bright, but Rodriguez seems to be in the shadows the most. Going into spring training much was made about the effort he was putting in to finally sniff his potential and he was even touted as the pitcher to watch once camp ended. That dream turned into a nightmare real fast for the lefty.
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In his first start of the season, E-Rod gave up a whopping 5 earned runs off of 8 hits and walked away with a 10.38 ERA in 4.1 IP. That sure doesn’t sound like what we were readying ourselves for in spring training. Yesterday’s start didn’t bring any more luck than his first though. Rodriguez would get pulled after only 3.2 IP and gave up 6 ER on 8 hits. In two starts he’s running a 12.38 ERA having given up 11 hits in just 8 IP.
As I said before though none of the Red Sox pitchers a shining right now in what is a nightmare of a start for the team. But Rodriguez was touted as finally seeming to get it and turn things around to achieve what we all thought he could. Sadly, it looks like we may be in for another season of mostly disappointment with a few glimmers of promise.
E-Rod joined the Red Sox in 2014 through a trade with Baltimore at the deadline. Since then we’ve heard nothing but how he could be the next great pitcher if he just puts it together. Well, as we’re entering our fifth season with Rodriguez how much longer should we wait? He turns 25 this weekend which is still young in the grand scheme of life, but we all know what happens to pitchers as they start to lean towards 30.
Rodriguez is signed with the Red Sox for the foreseeable future and isn’t set for free agency until 2022. So he won’t be going anywhere anytime soon unless Boston wants to pull the trigger on a move. So what do the Red Sox do if this form and trend continue to develop? Personally, I’m ready to move on from Rodriguez. I’ve seen enough that I just don’t feel like he’s going to put the puzzle together, and the sad thing is, he has all the pieces in front of him.
There seem to be several factors leading into the roadblock that’s keeping him from attaining what many feel he’s capable of. We’ve heard about his lack of confidence when in certain situations with his pitch selection, that’s something a pitcher just can’t have. They need to be 100% in everything that leaves their hand when the time comes.
We’ve also heard about E-Rod not sticking to the gameplan set forth and going his own route. Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald captured the thoughts of Red Sox pitching coach Dana LeVangie after E-Rod’s start in Seattle. He was asked why he felt that Rodriguez and catcher Blake Swihart strayed away from the plan that was set up as far as using the changeup to attack left-handed batters.
"“I don’t know,” LeVangie said. “It was a big part of my plan against those guys tonight. It’s unfortunate. One big swing cost us the game. Other than that, I thought he competed good.”"
So with plenty of time left on his deal and what feels like no answers to the Eduardo Rodriguez question, where do the Red Sox go? I’d listen to any and every trade offer that comes in for him. They don’t have to accept the first one but Dave Dombrowski can always negotiate and make it worthwhile for Boston. There’s always optioning him down to the minors but will more time in the minors really be of any benefit to him?
I believe a change of scenery is probably what’s best for Rodriguez. He’s got a top-notch coaching staff and even Pedro Martinez trying to work with him and nothing seems to change. I don’t know if he is just tuning out the coaching to make way for his own ego but whatever is happening in Boston with him isn’t working. It may be time to part ways with the young lefty as I don’t think he’ll find what he’s looking for in a Red Sox uniform.