Emerging Cuban Pitcher Yariel Rodriguez Officially Declared Free Agent By MLB

Yariel Rodriguez is reportedly able to sign with MLB clubs after the pitcher spent the past nine years starring on the mound in both Cuba and Japan.

The MLB Commissioner's Office has declared Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez a free agent, sources told MLB reporter Francys Romero on Friday.

Rodriguez spent three seasons with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball, but he did not pitch in 2023 and he was released from his contract on Oct. 5. He is now eligible to sign with any MLB club without being subject to Japan's posting system.

The right-hander from Camaguey, Cuba, is 26 years old.

Rodriguez is being represented by agent Edgar Mercedes, who has previously negotiated contracts for Cuban stars Luis Robert Jr. and Yoenis Cespedes. According to industry experts who consulted with Romero, Rodriguez could receive a multi-year deal in the range of $40 to $70 million.

The New York Yankees, Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets and San Francisco Giants are the strongest candidates to land Rodriguez, per Romero.

Over half the league showed up to Rodriguez's first tryout in the Dominican Republic on Oct. 10. That day, Rodriguez averaged 96.2 miles per hour on his fastball, 84.9 miles per hour on his slider, 76.7 miles per hour on his curveball, 88.9 miles per hour on his splitter and 86.2 miles per hour on his changeup, per Romero.

Rodriguez started his professional career at 18 years old in the Cuban National Series. Across seven seasons with Ganaderos de Camaguey, Lenadores de Las Tunas and Gallos de Sancti Spiritus, Rodriguez went 31-26 with a 3.30 ERA, primarily as a starter.

After going to Japan to join the Dragons in 2020, Rodriguez went 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA over the course of 79 appearances and 175.1 innings.

As a starter for Team Cuba in the World Baseball Classic in March, Rodriguez allowed just two earned runs with 10 strikeouts in 7.1 innings of work. Rodriguez did walk six batters and hit two more, though.

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