The left-handed starter’s signing with the Diamondbacks will present the Phillies with yet another challenge in their quest to win the NL champion crown again.
With the signing of Aaron Nola, their top free agent target for a starting pitcher, the Philadelphia Phillies strengthened their rotation in anticipation of a deep postseason run in 2024. Regretfully, they’re not the only group hoping to replicate their 2023 success.
With the reported signing of Eduardo Rodriguez, a starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and former Detroit Tiger, the Arizona Diamondbacks, who defeated the Phillies in the National League Championship Series, have made it clear that they intend to make a run at the World Series.
The lefty is reportedly inking a four-year contract worth about $80 million, or $20 million annually, according to Jeff Passan.
The Tigers starter was available to the Phillies during the Trade Deadline this summer, and if Nola couldn’t be re-signed, they may have thought of him as a replacement in the rotation.
In 2023, Rodriguez pitched for the Tigers, recording a 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. The Diamondbacks now have one of the strongest rotations in the league after adding him to their roster. They now have the 30-year-old Rodriguez in addition to Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly as their three starting pitchers. Subsequently, they introduce rookie Brandon Pfaadt, who made his debut during the playoffs. Recall the gem he threw into the desert during the NLCS Game 3?
The Diamondbacks are another challenge in the Phillies’ path to return to the Fall Classic after leaving it too soon in the previous season, even though they are not a direct division rival like the Atlanta Braves or New York Mets. The Phillies play in the NL West. Arizona, led by NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, has rapidly emerged from the underdog new team to a serious contender.
By making it even more difficult for the Phillies to win the National League in 2022, the Diamondbacks front office and general manager Mike Hazen are demonstrating their commitment to competing in 2024 and the upcoming years. Unfortunately, their window of opportunity to win aligns with the Phillies’ window of opportunity to contend.