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:
Source: LHP Eduardo Rodríguez has informed teams he has no geographic restrictions in free agency.
That is encouraging for the Dodgers and Giants, who are already active on starting pitchers.
Notably, the Dodgers nearly traded for Rodríguez at the deadline.@MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 8, 2023
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.
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