With the trade deadline now just a few days away, Tigers starter Eduardo Rodriguez is drawing plenty of trade interest. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports that scouts from several rival clubs having been keeping an eye on him, with the Rangers, Rays, Reds, Phillies and Diamondbacks among those keeping tabs.
It’s unsurprising that Rodriguez, 30, is garnering attention around the league. He’s been a solid major league starter for many years and is having arguably his best season to date. Coming into this year, he had thrown 947 2/3 innings with a 4.15 earned run average, striking out 23.9% of batters faced while walking 8.1% of them and keeping the ball on the ground at a 41.2% clip. Here in 2023, he has a 2.95 ERA, nudging his strikeout rate to 25.9% and lowering his walk rate to 6%, that latter number being a career best by a full point.
Those numbers would fit great in just about every rotation around the league. What makes his situation unique is his contract. He’s not a rental in a strict sense but will be treated similarly to one. The Tigers signed him to a five-year, $77MM deal going into 2022, but that deal gave him the ability to opt out after the second year. That opt-out opportunity is now just a few months away, when he will have to decide between hanging onto the three years and $49MM left on his contract versus returning to the open market.
The last time he was a free agent, he was coming off a season in which he had a 4.74 ERA and had rejected a qualifying offer. This time, it seems like he will have the ability to return to free agency with a stronger platform year and no QO attached, since players aren’t allowed to receive more than one in their careers. He will be two years older and the underlying numbers of his 2021 season were still strong, but all the factors taken into consideration would seem to point to him having a strong shot of getting past that $49MM guarantee in free agency. The most recent offseason saw mid-rotation pitchers like Chris Bassitt, Taijuan Walker and Jameson Taillon get between $63MM and $72MM, with Rodriguez having an argument for being in that range as well.
With that being the case, it makes sense for the Tigers to consider moving him for talent that can help them in future seasons. Their record is currently 46-55, which only puts them 6.5 games off the lead in the weak AL Central, but FanGraphs only gives them a 1.7% chance of making the playoffs with Baseball Prospectus at 0.3%.
The tricky thing is that, unlike other rental players, there’s more downside for the acquiring club. Although Rodriguez is trending towards opting out, there’s a chance he could experience a downturn in results or suffer an injury that causes him to take the bird in the hand. That’s something that other clubs would have to take into consideration when discussing deals, and it’s possible the Tigers get a lesser return than if Rodriguez were simply in the final year of his contract. The injury question mark is always a factor with pitchers and certainly with Rodriguez, who has only once topped 160 innings in a season.
Complications aside, each of the listed clubs would surely love to have Rodriguez in their rotation for the stretch run. The Rangers have lost Jacob deGrom and Jake Odorizzi to season-ending injuries, which has put a couple of dents in their depth. Dane Dunning has stepped up and has an ERA of 3.18 this year, but a 15.4% strikeout rate that casts some doubt on its sustainability. Martín Pérez and Andrew Heaney are each having lackluster seasons as well, with their respective ERAs hovering just under 5.00. They are still leading the AL West but the Astros are only two games back, with the Angels also aggressively making a push. They’ve already been connected to starters, with reported interest in Lance Lynn of the White Sox.
The Rays have some strong elements to their rotation with Shane McClanahan, Tyler Glasnow, Taj Bradley and Zach Eflin in four spots, but Eflin has dealt with persistent knee issues in his career and underwent an MRI on his left knee yesterday. It’s unclear if that will be a serious problem, but they are already without Jeffrey Springs and Drew Rasmussen for the rest of the season, with Josh Fleming on the 60-day IL as well. Like the Rangers, they’ve also been connected to Lynn in their pursuit of more starting pitching. They have slipped behind Baltimore in the East but still hold the top Wild Card spot in the American League.
The Reds have known for some time to be in the market for pitching, which makes plenty of sense. They were hoping to have their rotation fronted by Hunter Greene and Nick Lodolo but both have been on the IL for a while now with at least a few more weeks until their expected returns. Other starters like Justin Dunn and Connor Overton are on the IL with them. Luke Weaver is still clinging to a rotation spot despite his 7.20 ERA on the year, leaving plenty of room for an upgrade. They are currently holding a Wild Card spot and are just a game and a half behind the Brewers in the Central division.
The Phillies have a solid group of five in Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Taijuan Walker, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez, but their depth has been weakened by the Tommy John surgery of Andrew Painter and the struggles of Bailey Falter. The only member of their current rotation than can be optioned is Sanchez, who has a 2.98 ERA but a 4.06 FIP. But perhaps someone could wind up in the bullpen or they simply use a six-man rotation for a while. They currently hold one of the Wild Card spots in the tight NL race.
The Diamondbacks have a top-heavy rotation with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly at the front. Brandon Pfaadt was one of the top pitching prospects in the league coming into the year but has an 8.81 ERA through his first seven starts. Tommy Henry has a 4.01 ERA but with uninspiring peripherals and a 5.14 FIP. Ryne Nelson’s ERA is is 4.97. General manager Mike Hazen has already admitted the club will pursue pitching upgrades. It remains to be seen how aggressive they will be since they’ve been struggling lately, but they are still just half a game out of the playoff picture.
Wouldn’t mind this upgrade for the Phils. Work your magic DD.
Something seems up with Suarez?? Had a spectacular June, but the last 5-6 starts have been awful. This trade would make alot of sense for the phillies, who need a more solid 5th starter anyways, but added LH insurance if Suarez keeps regressing.
Dombrowski certainly would know him from his days in Boston. Philly might mot match up as well as others for what the Tigers need though.
If Suarez is younger, maybe he goes to Detroit in the deal.
Unlikely, Suarez would be valuable to Phillies in multiple roles and in 2024. More likely to send Painter or Abel.
Tigers need bats, not pitching. There looking for young hitters almost ready for the big leagues
No magic beans this year !
Plenty of great prospects in the Philly farm that I’d be terrified to trade, but Philly’s window is now.
Upgrade??
E-Rod is most definitely a rotation upgrade. He would be one of our best pitchers. You can option Sanchez or move him to a bullpen role, or, better yet, include Sanchez in the trade. Sanchez has been very solid, and I’d hate to see him go, but the window is now.
Sanchez and Muziotti? Muziotti seems like the type of player Scott Harris is looking for.
It may take more than that from Philly, but Muziotti is definitely on the table.
ERod is finally realizing all his potential. I was a huge doubter, and still don’t believe he’ll be an ace going forward, but this year is his year.
He’d be a great fit in Phillie. I trust DD more then any other GM to make this move if it’ll push them over the top.
Ejemp – In 2019 ERod finished 6th in Cy voting and had a 5.5 WAR.
If not for a bad case of Covid in 2020 and personal issues in 2022, he’d have continued his brilliance during the past 3 seasons. 2019 is when it really all came together for him.
Reunion with Boston?
I was thinking this could very well be a possibility. We need starting pitching, although we are coming around with pitching.
Why bother? Give up a couple of prospects for a guy who’ll opt-out. Plus the Sox, even in the slight chance they go to the post-season, won’t get past the first series.
Writing them off as soon as they get there? That alone makes your post frivolous as we know several teams have a chance once getting there. Just look at the Phillies last year.
I do agree with you about the opt-out. It wouldn’t be worth trading the farm and I think we pursue Rodriguez if the price is right. If not, move on, as I think we can survive without him. He’s not the biggest piece.
IF (big if) the Sox get in the dance I don’t think anyone wants to see a healthy Sox team. Sale, Paxton, Bello is a solid 1-3 and that lineup with Story back will be deep. They just gotta keep winning
Sox are for real. I hope they add at the deadline. Their play deserves to be rewarded.
won’t get past the first series.
=========================
You do know that, if we make the playoffs, we are probably the favorite in the first series?
We? What’s your job in the organization?
People like you are the worst. Not smart enough to add anything to the conversation so you just want to troll. Pretty pathetic existence.
Those who put up with people like you are the real heroes.
Somewhere, there are trees working hard to produce oxygen for you to breathe. You really need to go and apologize.
Buying patron. WE is acceptable.
Without the fans there are no teams. So, yes, “we” is correct.
Well, his username is “I am Insane”
happening – Good choice, Patron is the best tequila on the market, enjoy!
As for “we”, I have nothing against Joe but many people have called him out for using the term … he is just “getting back” at them by trolling them.
Sorry but anyone who projects themself as part of a team/group/entity without receiving any type of monetary compensation from said entity and without participating in the actual competition involving said entity is NOT a member of said entity.
Employees and investors, yes.
Players/managers/coaches, yes.
Fans, no.
Even fans like myself who actually pay to attend games are not part of the team, no different than those who purchase any service or product.
grn – The Rays haven’t had fans for years, but they were still a team. LOL!
I think you’re assuming everyone who watches sports on TV, listens to sports on the radio, or attends sporting events is a fan. Fact is, plenty of people will watch sports without being a fan of any team. Plenty of people will go to a ballpark, especially a famous one like Fenway, just to enjoy the concessions and atmosphere without caring about which team wins.
Were there fans in 2020? No people in the seats and hardly nobody watching on TV.
I have nothing against Joe but many people have called him out for using the term … he is just “getting back” at them by trolling them.
================================
I use the term “we” to indicate that I am a RS fan. I use “they” to indicate that I am not part of that group. I’ve seen a lot of people do that.
No, sn33 is pretty much spot on. You’re an idiot. But just for fun, I looked it up. One of the better descriptions of using the word “we” is:
“When the New Orleans Saints play, in my mind at least, they do so as representatives of a greater cultural collective of which I am definitely a member, and the competition is a symbolic confrontation between my tribe and some other tribe.”
But there is something else interesting here. There might be a dozen instances in this thread alone where people use the word “you” in the same manner as I use the word “we”. Posters will tell a Philly fan “you should trade for ERod”, meaning that Philly should trade for ERod, not to imply that they think the person with whom they are conversing is DD.
Fever- hah so true about the rays.
I guess the way I see it is, who cares if someone says “we” or not? Life’s too short to be concerned about such silly things.
Come back to the O’s Eduardo
O’s have the pieces the Tigers need! Mayo or Norby.
Yeah I like the Orioles as a fit for Rodriguez for sure.
Both strike out more than Scott would like. Joey Ortiz or Samuel Basallo look more like Harris type guys.
Joey’s walk to k ratio is better for sure and he could plug in and play 2B right now for the Tigers. Just not sure on him. I saw him play earlier this year and I kept thinking Utility infielder for some reason I can’t put my finger on. Can’t even say why. Good point on him being a Harris type player though. Similar profile to some of the other young 2B/3B types like Justin Foscue and Tyler Black.
Al Avila has always been a clown. Terrible GM.
ERod and Lorenzen HAVE to be traded. Whatever the best offer is, take it. The organization needs position players at all levels.
Not to worry…Al the Pathetic is gone!
Really like Barrosa
Just don’t trade with the Rays. I’m sure someone will correct me and give examples but I cannot remember teams winning trades made with Tampa Bay. I go off the assumption that whomever the Rays are willing to trade away, there is a reason why they no longer want the player. I believe Tampa Bay knew something was going on with Austin Meadows before trading him with Detroit a couple seasons ago. Isaac Paredes would look mighty nice in the Tigers infield right now, something I believed at the time the trade went down.
Nathaniel Lowe
Nate Lowe deal isn’t a bust until Basabe rears his head
Joe Ryan to the Twins for Nelson Cruz was a bit of an L for the Rays, but few, if any, other than that come to mind.
Don’t forget 5 inning Snell. The Rays knew he wasn’t an economical pitcher and that he was expendable.
Snell return was solid. Doesn’t look great now but still some hope.
I was surprised they didn’t give Paredes more of a look in Detroit. Seemed like they played Dawel Lugo and others instead which never made any sense to me.
Paredes was too young when Lugo was on the team. He would have been in rookie or A ball. He was always younger than the players typical at his level.
They were both on the team in 2020 but Lugo was only there for 10 at bats so you are right, they were not competing for AB’s
Cron Williams Dickerson.
Cruz trade painful.
While I would love for the Rangers to figure out a way to pry Cease away from the WS, Rodriguez seems like the most likely target.
Walcott, Duran, and White for him would be fair, I think. They can just call up Dustin Harris, JP Martinez, Eller Hernandez, Evan Carter, or guys like Foscue/Crim and throw them in the outfield.
I’d be surprised if they’d include Walcott in a package like this. Too much upside and he’s too far away to be considered blocked right now. My guess would be one of the middle infielders who’s close to MLB ready, most likely Foscue since this is potentially a rental.
I am assuming that Walcott, Duran & White package would be for Cease? Seems high for Eduardo although I am sure the Tigers would pounce on a return like that.
Yeah, maybe I misunderstood. That would make more sense.
Cease obviously lol
Dude… I was 100% talking about Cease, not Edurado rotfl
That’s not enough for Cease imo
As always run it by the trade simulator.
Justin Foscue and Dustin Harris fit the profile of what Scott Harris is looking for. Throw in Sam Huff with those two and take back some bullpen help.
A lot of controllable bullpen help – sure (Foley and Lange)
I am curious; Is Evan Carter untouchable? Would Eduardo Rodriguez, Alex Lange & Kerry Carpenter for Duran, Walcott & Carter be impossible?
I think Carter should be (except for Soto or Luis Robert Jr.). I have a different valuation of guys than MLB teams, but I would say Walcott can be dealt high now. The same goes for Duran. However, I can’t imagine Carter being traded, even straight up, for those guys. Maybe you get Acuna/Foscue instead of Duran or White, but not all of them. If Chicago had Cease, a few relievers, and cash on the table, I would think about it.
Reds should get them to throw in Jason Foley & then give them India plus a stronger prospects like arroyo (top 50 prospect & maybe another throw in…..
Those two do lineup as pretty good trade partners. If I’m the Reds I maybe even consider trading a top prospect like Marte in that sort of deal to get a longer term high upside arm like Skubal out of Detroit.
With that opt out, he is a rental. They got burned by that on Castellanos, so they won’t give up that kind of talent for what essentially could be a rental.
That’s why you have them include Foley whose one the better more underrated bullpen arms under control thru 2027…. You can never have enough stud bullpen arms especially with a young starting staff..,
If they don’t give up talent then they’ll be on the outside looking in. The Giolito trade just set the market for what they will get for Erod and likely Lorenzen.
I pray for the downfall of the Reds, but I agree. In the best possible scenario, he pitches extremely well and opts out. The only way he does not opt out is he winds up with a season ending injury that bleeds over into 2024. Then you have lost India for a couple months of ERod.
I actually expect them to be on the outside looking in since the kid GM doesn’t bring in established major league talent.
Gotta give it to ya. When you come up with nonsense like “kid GM” you beat it to death like a dead horse.
The man is 45 years old, which you would know if you weren’t yelling at the neighborhood kids to get off your lawn …
My choice for the Reds is Lorenzen & Faedo going to the Reds for a middle infielder. Maybe even a reliever added in.
I pick Rodriguez going to Tampa Bay.
Cisnero to Texas
Foley to Baltimore
They signed Castellanos as a free agent.
That was a different GM, and they foolishly gave him an opt out which made the four year deal only a two year one in the end.
Skubal is very likely staying put.
If they trade Skubal I’m getting a new team. Okay I’m not but I’d be super pissed! To me Skubal should be near u touchable. You are right that Cincy and Detroit match up well. I think Erod and Foley for India, Sal Stewart and a low minors prospect is fair.
Skubal is staying put but if the reds offered me Marte, India and another top 12 guy that’d be one to think on imo
The Tigers are not going to throw in Jason Foley, nor should they.
The Tigers and the Reds do not match up well. The Reds want young, controllable pitching and the Tigers won’t be willing to give theirs up. Also, the lastest reports suggest that the Reds aren’t willing to trade India afterall.
Encarnacion-Strand has more trade value anyway. Will accept him as a replacement for India, if you insist.
Reds might trade Noelvi or Collier the dudes in the bigs are stayin’ put.
If someone offers them a “closer type package” for him (and he is easily worth that) I think they should consider it. Only for an overwhelming package though.Relief pitchers are a volatile comodity and the most easily replaced position on the field.
Foley would be the headliner over E-Rod, due to his years of control. He won’t be a “throw-in”. Tigers are getting similar results from Ibanez at 2B, and he’s better defensively than India. Besides Keith is already penciled in at 2B. Tigers need a 3B.
What makes you think he’s penciled in at 2B? I’ve always assumed he’d come in and play 3B, but I haven’t watched him.
Stymedone is right. They moved Keith to 2B this year. Ideally a 3B would be great, but someone who can hit and field either position would work too.
The underlying metrics are good to Rodriguez. I don’t necessarily think the Tigers have to trade him, but either trade now or plan on re-signing him. He almost certainly will opt-out and not getting anything in return for a high quality arm at this point would be a mistake.
He is gonna opt out that’s basically a given. They should absolutely trade him at this point unless they were to approach him and be able to extend him prior to the deadline which seems highly unlikely.
Giants need to get on the phone and make this happen
Schmitt and Whisenhunt. Add in a relief or minor league pitcher. Read what the Angels just traded for Giolito before you scream no!!!
Send them over then. Schmitt is all glove and wiz is in the minors.
Flaherty and either Hicks or Stratton For Wisenhunt. I could handle that. Flaherty is usually gonna either give you a good start or a bad one. Boom or bust could be a good option for the Giants who probably need to roll the dice a bit to win it all.
Whatever the Tigers do, they better get more than a five-year prospect or two or draft picks.
I’m sick of giving up Verlander, Costellanos(sp), JD Martinez, and getting nothing in return !!
The issue wasn’t how long we had to wait, it was the quality of prospects was trash. If we actually got good prospects back for those guys, they’d all be in the majors now and making an impact. Let’s just hope Scott Harris & his scouting department actually get good prospects back for the tradable assets we have.
The Reds wouldn’t have any interest in that deal.
Surprised Astros aren’t higher on this list; Bielak & Brown could be improved on…
There were reports this week that the Astros have interest in Erod. I was quite surprised when I looked through their top 30 prospects list but they have some really interesting players there who could fill some holes for the Tigers.
I wouldn’t hate it if the RS traded for ERod, but he has some downside to him. He missed half of 2022 for personal reasons, and wasn’t particularly successful in 21/22 with an ERA/FIP of 4.49/3.73.
He can be a very good pitcher. But if is a very good pitcher, you then only have him for 2 months. If something goes sideways, you are liable for an additional 3 years.
I’d prefer to go after someone with a little less upside, like Monty, with none of the downside.
Diamondbacks sure could use a LH starter, to wipe away the memories of MadBum.
They also match up well with the Tigers. Canzone is a Harris type player and Barrosa and others look interesting as well.
I’m scared after seeing the price for Giolito lol. Absolutely No on Noelvi, so it’d depend on what else they want
Marte would only go for someone controllable for a while.
Cincy has an embarrassment of good young infielders to pick from for trades. So many that I don’t think they could find a place for all of them to play. Trading Collier or Stewart has zero impact on them in the near term. If they get the pitching to match that young lineup they will be downright scary.
Extremely high overpay for a rental no thanks. Now if you want someone in the 11-30 range have at it.
Quero and Bush for Giolito and Lopez = you are going to gave to open the purse strings for rentals this year dude, or golfing come playoff time.
Sounds like a good year to not overpay for rentals. Giving up one of those top 100 guys and they turn into a star for Detroit would be far worse than not making the playoffs a year ahead of schedule.
Keep them all and teach them to pitch since you don’t have enough open spots for them;) Cheers dude
losing odorizzi for a year wasn’t a bad thing. if he’d been healthy he probably wouldve been released a long time ago due to bad performance.
The Tigers need high end prospects that can play Catcher, Outfield and versatile Infielders. The Dodgers with Cartaya & Rushing would be a good trade partner for Rodriguez or Lorenzon.
Cartaya is having a bit of a down year so I wonder if his value has fallen a bit. Busch with that high OBP and good walk to K ratio looks pretty good.
The Tigers catcher and outfield situation is fine. They do need a quality second baseman (or a third baseman if they move Keith to 2B).
Who is our future catcher ? Dirk Diggler ?
Rogers for the hear future. Dingler’s been so-so this year. Josh Crouch and Donnie Sands haven’t had good years. I’d love forthem to grab Kevin Parada from the Mets as a long term solution but can’t see that happening. They drafted a kid this year in the later rounds who looks interesting and signed overslot (Cernowyk or something?). The rest are backups and AAAA: Papierski and Knapp.
Yeah, that overslot guy we drafted this year could be something along with the international kid we signed but that won’t be for another 5-6 years on each one. Rogers is an average player from my point of view and I don’t really see him being a key piece of this team.
So wish you could trade draft picks in baseball. Make everything so more exciting especially the draft which MLB would love to see more interest. Wonder why that is never talked about.
Come on Braves…trade for him and throw him a ‘signing bonus’ for opting back in the remaining 3 years (which is probably not doable like the NFL). We all know they aren’t resigning Fried, at least this softens the blow a tad bit.
Let’s hope the Tigers get a good deal. People keep saying stuff like, ” the type of player Harris is looking for”…..ugg….. Do you mean mediocre? Hope they improve, not given a full chance to adjust yet?
I would.prefer a Coby Mayo or a Heston, a Spencer, a Dalton…..with a package deal.and some.strong armed.tactics? After all, the buyer would be C blocking….that’s a full pitching staff tune up the Tigers are offering…..
NY vs Balt
La vs AZ, Sf
Tx vs Hou
Mil vs Cin
I never understood waiting for the deadline….
Holy Toledo!
Coulda hired the Superfife!
Coulda had a V-8.
Throwing in Haas, who calls a.good game, and taking on some salary?(McCann? , Barnes?)
What they are offering is very important in playoff situations.