Baltimore Orioles: Jake Arrieta and Pitchers that Got Away

Sep 28, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (52) delivers a pitch during the first inning of the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Eduardo Rodriguez – Boston

Everyone knew that the Baltimore Orioles were giving up a good young talent in Rodriguez for what did prove to be a two-month rental of Andrew Miller. This happened at the trade deadline in 2014, as the O’s were making a push to win it all. However, to be truthful, Rodriguez was not pitching particularly well in the minors at the time of the trade (3-7, 4.79 at Bowie) — not that he had not previously fared well, and not that he was not still anticipated to be a good hurler.

Without doubt, Rodriguez has blossomed in the Red Sox system, and perhaps has done so even more quickly than anticipated. After posting great numbers in their farm system at AA and AAA, he was called up to the Sox early in 2015 where he went 10-6 with a 3.85 ERA. There is a lot to yet be written about Rodriguez, but it looks like a good deal for Boston to have made.

The Return for Rodriguez – Andrew Miller did what was desired and asked of him in his stint with the Orioles, posting a 1.35 ERA in 23 appearances. And now he is one of the handful of elite closers in baseball, having signed a lucrative free agent contract with the Yankees.

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