I really think the bat will play with Roden. Like Kwan has run a sub 3% barrell rate in the majors and his bat plays. I just think he will walk and not strike out, and has enough pop to play in a corner. He also is athletic enough to be an above average defender. Over seven years of control, you'll get a smattering of 1.5 -3 WAR seasons. That's valuable to me.
i listened to some atkins interviews and he said he loves his fastball shape which is interesting. That makes me like it a bit more.
I still philosophically just don't like betting on relievers which this is. There is no fallback from this. The velo ticks back, there is generally no back up like you have with a starter. So, the range of outcomes just includes alot more 'DFAed well before 5 years' than with position players and starters.
I also feel like the deadline is the most expensive time to buy relievers. So its specifically the time when you don't want to pay for control.
edit: also the opportunity cost. I just heard on the radio that we gave up 4 of the top 11 prospects traded on the day. Could we have got better for this year with those prospects, rather than spending some of that capital over the next 5 years?
However, Atkins clearly loves him. He says he's followed him for years. Loves the fastball shape. So, whatever., let's see what happens.