Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez has a shot at redemption and money
A second chance for money on the table presents itself for lefty Eduardo Rodriguez of the Red Sox. Rodriguez is a free agent in waiting, and with pitching being a financial cash cow, big money may show up with a stellar playoff performance.
The 29-year-old should be on the cusp of a minimum five-year deal, but that has crashed. Rodriguez’s outstanding 2019 season is just a fading memory. The 2020 season was a physical washout, and 2021 has not been memorable.
The most significant aspect was the consistency of his inconsistency. Looking for a bright spot in 2021, E-Rod did make 21 starts, and those starts are the issue. E-Rod’s old form would occasionally surface and then revert to mediocre. Now a fresh start.
In the 2018 World Series, Nathan Eovaldi parlayed an outstanding playoff performance into a lucrative and questionable four-year deal. Eovaldi’s regular season (6-7, 3.81) was pure “meh.” Take away the playoff performance, and Eovaldi was one-year contract material.
Rodriguez took a small step already with gaining a win – his 13th – with a clean inning in the crucial game 162 against the Nationals. Historically at Tropicana Field, Rodriguez has had moderate results with a 2-2, 4.26 lifetime. That is out the window.
Knowing manager Alex Cora’s style, a quick hook will be present with any wildness or the Rays slamming the ball all over the yard. But if the lefty is on his game, that leash will not be as tight. And it won’t stop with just a game one start. Rodriguez could take the hill in a critical game five.
In tonight’s game, E-Rod could blow up. If that happens and the Red Sox are swept away by the Rays, Rodriguez will still get a good contract. Rodriguez is genetically blessed with being left-handed and will be paid. However, if Rodriguez and the Red Sox have a great series and eventually move on to the World Series, a good contract becomes a great contract.
Rodriguez is now playing for pride and profit, and just about every player is. The pride is professional and personal. The profit is apparent. There is both money on the table and redemption for Rodriguez.