While Eduardo Rodriguez hinted last week at the possibility of playing out his contract with the Tigers, the general manager who signed him to that contract "would be shocked" if Rodriguez doesn't opt out after this season.
"As long as he doesn’t get hurt the rest of the way and continues to pitch the way that he’s been pitching, and particularly if he gets traded to a contending team and pitches in the playoffs, he’s going to opt out," former Tigers GM Al Avila said Friday on Foul Territory TV. "I can’t see it any other way, to tell you the truth."
Rodriguez, who's in the second season of a five-year, $77 million contract that includes an opt-out this offseason, has a career-low 2.95 ERA through 15 starts. He's one of the most appealing starting pitchers available ahead of the Aug. 1 trade deadline, but the question for interested teams is whether they're buying a two-month rental or an arm for the next three-plus seasons.
"I think a team that’s acquiring him would look at it knowing or thinking, this is going to be a rental," Avila said. "I’m going at it as I’m getting a rental, because I do believe he’s going to opt out, which he should, at this point."
While Rodriguez would be leaving $49 million on the table by opting out, the 30-year-old lefty could likely double that if he finishes strong and goes back to the market this winter. He had an injury scare earlier this season when he ruptured a pulley in his left index finger, but has pitched well enough since returning to sustain his trade value. How he pitches down the stretch could dictate his decision in the offseason.
Asked about his future, Rodriguez said last week, "I signed the contract with the Tigers to stay here and play here. Right now, I am here.”
He added, "I feel like I already signed for a lot of money. I feel like I have a really good contract and I feel like I can take care of my family for the rest of my life with the money I'm already making."
Rodriguez took a leave from the Tigers last season due to a reported marital issue, and there were murmurs that he was unhappy in Detroit. It felt like he and the team were destined for divorce. But Rodriguez has seemed more comfortable in his surroundings this season, and Avila said "the problems that he had last year ... those issues with him are gone."
If Rodriguez indeed intends to opt out, Scott Harris and the Tigers have no choice but to trade him. He has enough appeal, especially if packaged with one of Detroit's high-leverage relievers, to net a sizable return in a seller's market. Even if Rodriguez's intentions aren't clear, it would behoove Harris to cash in when he can. Rodriguez also touts a career-best WHIP and career-best strikeout-to-walk ratio.
For now, we wait. The deadline is four days away, exactly when Rodriguez is scheduled to make his next start.
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