Blue Jays Reportedly Close To Deal For Rumored Red Sox Target
It sounds like the Toronto Blue Jays are going to end up landing one of the Boston Red Sox's rumored targets.
Boston has been linked to seemingly every available pitcher in some way this offseason. The Red Sox need help in the starting rotation and also the bullpen. Boston has been linked to multiple stars and also plenty of depth options.
One player who has popped up as an option for the Red Sox is Cuban fireballer Yariel Rodríguez. Boston even attended a private workout for the hurler and has been mentioned as a fit multiple times.
Although this is the case, the rival Toronto Blue Jays are seen as the most likely landing spot for Rodríguez, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
"On Dec. 29, ESPN's Enrique Rojas reported that the Blue Jays had 'taken the lead' in the bidding for Cuban free-agent right-handed Yariel Rodríguez," Rosenthal said. "Over the past 2 1/2 weeks, I have consistently heard the same. The Jays are optimistic they will land Rodríguez, according to a source briefed on their pursuits. But hurdles evidently remain in his immigration, preventing the Jays from completing a deal.
"Rodríguez, who turns 27 on March 10, pitched mainly as a starter in Cuba from 2015 to 2019. He joined a Japanese club, the Chunichi Dragons, in 2020, and produced a monster season as a reliever in 2022. After starting again for Cuba last spring in the World Baseball Classic, he sat out the season rather than report back to the Dragons. Major League Baseball recognized him as a free agent in November after the Dragons released him."
This isn't the first time Toronto has been mentioned as the favorite to land Rodríguez and at this point, it seems like he isn't going to be an option for Boston.
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