The Tigers have identified a target in their search for a veteran starting pitcher: Eduardo Rodriguez.
Detroit is showing 'early interest' in the 28-year-old lefty, who's spent the duration of his career with the Red Sox, and the Tigers have a 'built-in advantage,' according to Jon Morosi: Rodriguez's first league pitching coach in Boston, Juan Nieves, is assistant pitching coach in Detroit.
Rodriguez is coming off a rocky year, posting a career-high 4.74 ERA in 32 games. But his peripheral numbers were much better, including a career-high strikeout rate, career-low walk rate and a career-low FIP of 3.32. At first glance, it looks like Rodriguez was the victim of some poor luck.
For most of his career, Rodriguez has been a steady, durable arm. He actually finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting in 2019 when he went 19-6 with a 3.81 ERA in an MLB-best 34 starts. But he missed all of 2020 due to complications from COVID-19, including a bout with myocarditis. That likely contributed to his lesser numbers last season as well.
The Red Sox did extend Rodriguez an $18.4 million qualifying offer last weekend, so he's not yet formally a free agent. He has until Nov. 17 to make a decision, one that could loom large for the Tigers.
