Anyone who frequents MLB Trade Rumors, the premier site for the namesake, saw Richard Rodriguez’s name often over the past few months. The Pirates reliever was indeed traded, shipping to the Braves before Friday’s deadline for pitchers Bryse Wilson and Ricky DeVito.
Rodriguez, 31, gives the Braves’ bullpen another experienced high-leverage righty. He’s also under team control through 2023, always an important caveat in deals executed this time of year.
With the Pirates in a lengthy rebuild and Rodriguez one of the better relievers available, the pitcher figured he wasn’t long for Pittsburgh.
“I came to expect (a trade),” Rodriguez said via team interpreter Franco Garcia. “I heard the rumors as well. As the deadline loomed, I anticipated a move happening. And I’d kind of heard that the Braves were a team that showed a lot of interest in me. So I thank God for this opportunity to join the clubhouse. There’s a lot of good guys here. You can tell there’s good harmony, good chemistry in the clubhouse. I’m really happy to join a clubhouse like this.”
The Braves are glad, too. Their bullpen has been a season-long issue. Rodriguez won’t fix their woes, but his track record suggests he’ll help. Rodriguez owns a 2.77 ERA with a 67:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 61-2/3 innings across the past two seasons.
It’s worth noting he struggled in July, however. He had a 6.75 ERA over his eight appearances in the month before Saturday. Rodriguez logged a scoreless eighth in the Braves’ win over the Brewers after he coaxed a double play from Luis Urias to end the inning.
“He throws the ball over,” manager Brian Snitker said. “He throws fastballs and he throws it over. This might be the toughest draw he’ll have because these guys (the Brewers) have seen him probably more than anybody in the same division (as Pittsburgh). But it was good. That was the perfect time to get him in. He hadn’t pitched in eight days. It was good to get him out there. I’m glad we have him. That’s a good get for us.”
Rodriguez recorded 14 saves with the Pirates, but Will Smith will remain the Braves’ primary closer. Smith has converted 21 of 23 save opportunities. There could still be chances for Rodriguez to finish games if the situation arises, but the Braves are approaching their new reliever with an open mind.
“He’ll pitch any inning,” general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “Could be sixth, seventh, whatever it is. Just another good bullpen arm with experience to add to that depth. Because as we know, there’s certain days we have we have guys down that are just not available. We want to keep them upright. So having more quality arms, and having that depth is pretty important.”
Rodriguez on his role: “I’ve never prepared for a game as if I’m only going to close out the game or going into a save situation. I’ve always sort of prepared to be thrown in at any time when the manager saw fit. So truly I think it’s completely up to the manager. Whenever he wants to utilize me and put me in the game, I’m happy to do it. I’m going to give the same effort no matter what the situation is.”
If the Braves are going to make a run in the National League East, the bullpen must be better. They’ll hope Rodriguez proves part of the solution.
