Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez invoked his no-trade clause to kill a trade to the Dodgers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Passan writes that a deal was in place pending Rodriguez’s approval but is now dead. Rodriguez’s contract allows him to block deals to 10 teams annually, and the Dodgers were on his list.
Earlier Tuesday afternoon, the Tigers reached an agreement to send Rodriguez’s rotation-mate Michael Lorenzen to the Phillies for infield prospect Hao-Yu Lee. Finding a match for Rodriguez is crucial for Detroit, because he’s possibly the best starting pitcher on the trade market, he’s ineligible for a qualifying offer after the season, and he’s likely to opt out of his remaining three years and $49M. The Tigers still have 19 teams to which Rodriguez cannot block a deal.
The Padres were said to have interest in Rodriguez, but that may have changed upon their acquisition of Rich Hill. Plus, it’s possible Rodriguez’s aversion to the Dodgers is a geographical thing and the Padres are also on his list. The Orioles, Reds and Diamondbacks could still be possibilities.
The Dodgers, though they added Lance Lynn, have now missed out on top targets Justin Verlander and Rodriguez. It’s unclear on where they may turn; Monday, Jack Harris of the L.A. Times suggested Plan C could be to do nothing. The Cardinals’ Jack Flaherty is still a candidate to move.
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