The first major signing of this MLB free agency period has resulted in the Red Sox losing a key piece of their rotation.
Eduardo Rodriguez is joining the Tigers on a five-year, $77 million contract plus bonuses, The Post’s Joel Sherman confirmed. The 28-year-old left-hander, who spent the last seven years in Boston, had rejected the Red Sox’s $18.4 million qualifying offer.
While Rodriguez’s 4.77 ERA in 2021 may seem pedestrian, he finished the season strong by pitching to a 3.26 ERA over his final 12 appearances (11 starts,) striking out 64 batters in 58 innings during that stretch. He gave up seven runs across 12 2/3 innings in three postseason appearances, which included a six-inning, three-run win in Game 3 of the ALCS.
Rodriguez missed the entire 2020 season after developing myocarditis following a COVID-19 infection. In 2019, Rodriguez led the majors with 34 starts, going 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA and 213 strikeouts.
The Post’s Ken Davidoff ranked Rodriguez No. 26 on his list of the top 40 MLB free agents.
Rodriguez joins a young Tigers rotation that includes Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal.