D-backs introduce lefty Eduardo Rodriguez, unfazed by NL West rival Dodgers adding Ohtani

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks made a big splash in free agency, signing left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez to an $80 million, four-year deal.

Then the Los Angeles Dodgers — as they often do — followed with a big move, this time signing Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year contract.

That’s life in the NL West, where the D-backs have among the more modest payrolls, though its clear they’re willing to spent to some degree following a surprise run to the World Series before a five-game loss to Texas.

“We’d like to think we can have greater revenue streams going into next season, when more people want to come out and watch our team play,” Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick said on Tuesday. “And we’re going to re-invest. The Diamondbacks are going to go on the field this year with the highest payroll in the history of the team.

“I’m not going to tell you what it will be, but it will be the highest payroll we’ve ever had.”

Kendrick’s words ring true so far this offseason. The D-backs already acquired slugger Eugenio Suárez in a trade with the Mariners during November, picking up the $11 million he is due next season. The franchise was 20th out of 30 teams in payroll according to projections heading into the postseason, spending $127 million.

Now they’ve added Rodriguez, who was introduced at Chase Field on Tuesday.

“I know these guys are coming off of the World Series and they’re hungry to win the World Series,” Rodriguez said. “I want to be a part of that.”

There were other factors that led Rodriguez to the desert, including a relationship with D-backs manager Torey Lovullo and general manager Mike Hazen that date to when all of them were with Boston in the mid-2010s.

Hazen said…