MLB Rumors: St. Louis Cardinals, Nolan Arenado, Detroit Tigers

MLB Rumors: Might Eduardo Rodriguez be the best arm available at trade deadline?

The buzz amongst executives is that this trade deadline could lack the big names that have been dealt in years past. Perhaps that changes in the coming weeks — there is a lot up in the air two weeks before the deadline — but one name to watch is Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, 30, has been dominant in 2023, posting a 2.64 ERA in 71.2 innings (12 starts). He is signed to a five-year, $77 million contract, but the presence of an opt-out after this season makes any potential trade tricky for a potential acquiring team.

If Rodriguez continues at this pace, he will surely opt out of the contract. If he gets hurt, he will surely opt into the remaining three years, $49 million on his contract.

Making a potential trade even more tricky: Rodriguez was out one month due to a finger injury and in his return, he allowed vie runs in four innings against the Oakland A’s.