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Report: Blue Jays Inquiring About Pirates' Rodríguez
As the trade deadline rapidly approaches, the Blue Jays are interested in yet another reliever.
Toronto has reportedly inquired about Pirates reliever Richard Rodríguez, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The Blue Jays were first linked to the reliever back in late June.
Rodríguez, 31, is one of the more attractive bullpen trade chips available. The right-hander has been very effective as Pittsburgh's closer this season, pitching to a 2.82 ERA in 38 1/3 innings and recording 14 saves. Rodríguez is not a big strikeout guy (just a 7.7 K/9), but he rarely walks batters and is under team control through 2023 -- an important element for a Blue Jays team looking to contend beyond 2021.
The only real concern with Rodríguez is a significant drop in spin-rate since MLB instituted new rules on pitchers using foreign substances in early June.
The move is also an ideal fit, Morosi reports, given that current Pirates general manager Ben Cherington worked as an executive for the Blue Jays from 2016 to 2019 and knows Toronto's farm system very well.
On Sunday, the Pirates started their fire sale by trading all-star second baseman/outfielder Adam Frazier to the San Diego Padres. With the Pirates in an obvious rebuild and Rodríguez and others likely on the move, the Blue Jays are clear suitors for a deadline deal.
Further Reading:
Blue Jays July 30 Home Opener Sells out in Minutes
