Blue Jays make a surprising move to clear a path for Edwin Diaz to join their bullpen

"Throughout much of the offseason the Blue Jays have been linked to All-Star closer Edwin Diaz, who is coming off a 3.0 bWAR season with the New York Mets. In nine years in the big leagues, Diaz has accumulated a 13.8 bWAR with 253 saves, a 2.82 ERA with 839 strikeouts in 519.1 innings pitched. He has a career 1.036 WHIP and 14.5 SO/9 rate."

"It appears that the Toronto Blue Jays have a better option in mind for their bullpen than Yariel Rodriguez. On Saturday (Dec. 6) the team announced that the 28-year-old right hander has cleared outright assignment waivers and has been outrighted off the 40-man roster. While Rodriguez remains within the organization right now, he would have to win a job back onto the roster in Spring Training."

Yariel Rodriguez cleared outright assignment waivers and was removed from the Blue Jays' 40-man roster. He remains in the organization as a non-roster player and must win a roster spot in Spring Training or be re-added if the team selects his contract. The move comes ahead of the Winter Meetings and appears to clear roster space amid interest in signing All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz posted a 3.0 bWAR this season and owns strong career numbers including 253 saves, a 2.82 ERA, 839 strikeouts and a 1.036 career WHIP. The Blue Jays currently have 38 players on the 40-man and have signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce this offseason. Rodriguez had been expected to serve as a swing-man and a late high-leverage option.

Read at Jays Journal