MLB Rumors: Braves-Soto link, Eduardo Rodriguez extension, Cy Young winner available

MLB Rumors: Uncertainty around Eduardo Rodriguez contract extension with Tigers

The Detroit Tigers agreed to trade Eduardo Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Dodgers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline but were spurned not by the Dodgers, but by Rodriguez. He invoked the 10-team no-trade clause in his contract and ultimately decided to remain with Detroit.

A surprising decision — to fans, and according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, to the Tigers as well. Detroit expected Rodriguez to accept a move to Los Angeles based on internal conversations and the Dodgers’ place in the standings, but Rodriguez made the last-second call to stay with the Tigers.

Now he leaves the organization in a tough position. Detroit is far removed from the postseason picture and they were unable to cash in on their best trade asset at the deadline. Rodriguez has three years and $49 million left on his contract, but he can opt out ahead of 2024. One has to imagine he will given his success on the mound this season.

Rodriguez remains open to restructuring his contract and staying in Detroit. It’s clear he enjoys it there, having spurned one of the most desirable MLB situations on paper to stay with a Tigers team mid-tank. That said, Detroit now faces the possibility of losing Rodriguez for nothing. Dedicating so much of their pre-deadline time to negotiating with a team Rodriguez held veto power over could come back to bite them.