Facing a dire need for quality starting pitching at the trade deadline this past season, the Los Angeles Dodgers got deep into negotiations with the Detroit Tigers for Eduardo Rodriguez before a deal fell apart.
That was due to Rodriguez invoking a limited no-trade clause that allowed him to block being sent to a list of 10 teams, of which the Dodgers were on. Rodriguez claimed his decision stemmed from wanting to remain closer to his family that is based in Miami.
The left-hander finished the 2023 season with the Tigers and then faced a decision on whether or not to opt out of the remaining three years and $49 million on his contract.
Rodriguez ultimately decided to become a free agent, and according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, would be willing to sign with the Dodgers and any other team as geography is no longer an issue:
The Tigers signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $77 million contract in November 2021. The deal included the aforementioned an opt-out clause for this winter.
Now on the open market as one of the top pitchers available, the 30-year-old presumably will covet a new contract that exceeds the terms had he elected to opt in with the Tigers.
Rodriguez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA and 1.15 WHIP in 26 starts this past season.
Eduardo Rodriguez wanted compensation for Dodgers trade
Although Rodriguez explained his family was behind blocking a trade to the Dodgers, his agent reportedly sought financial compensation in order to approve the deal.
It’s believed to have been an additional year of a salary around $20 million added onto Rodriguez’s contract, and when that was not provided, the left-hander blocked the trade.
More must-reads: