As the MLB trade deadline nears on Tuesday, several teams are in pursuit of elite starting pitching. Look no further than Eduardo Rodriguez.
Eduardo Rodriguez has been one of the best pitchers in the American League this season for a reason. However, in order to send him elsewhere, the Detroit Tigers will demand top prospect capital in return.
That's slightly difficult from Detroit's perspective, especially since Rodriguez technically has a player opt out after this season. One way the Tigers could facilitate a trade would be asking Rodriguez to opt in for the remainder of his deal, or perhaps trading him to a destination of his choice in return.
If E-Rod were to hit free agency, he'd likely make more than the money guaranteed in his deal over the next few seasons. Hence, any trade won't be easy, especially if Scott Harris wants a top-100 prospect in return.
MLB Rumors: A Dodgers-Tigers trade for Eduardo Rodriguez
Rodriguez is said to be the Dodgers top target at the deadline, along with Justin Verlander. It's ironic that a current Tiger and former Detroit ace headline the pitching market in early August, but here we are. Any deal would have to include some to prospects in LA's stacked farm system.
Rodriguez could acquire a top-100 prospect in Pepiot, who is ranked in the top-75 per MLB Pipeline. He is 25 years old and MLB-ready, so he could slide right into the Tigers rotation. By including Michael Fulmer, Detroit can increase their prospect capital and add a solid middle-infield prospect like Vivas, as well as a lottery ticket outfielder like Munoz.
MLB Rumors: An Orioles-Tigers trade for Eduardo Rodriguez
The Baltimore Orioles are among the teams interested in Justin Verlander, but should that fall through, expect them to pivot to the Tigers. Rodriguez, as well as Michael Lorenzen, are two of the best pitchers on the trade market.
Rodriguez could be just as expensive as Verlander, but at least in the former Baltimore is receiving a younger option. However, any trade will include several players from their prospect war chest. Here's what I'm thinking:
That's three prospects in the Orioles top-20 prospects, including Joey Ortiz, who is MLB-ready, can play multiple positions on the infield and is in the top-100 overall prospects in baseball. Detroit is in need of position player prospects, and they acquire several in this deal Scott Harris will love.
As for the Orioles, they receive Lorezen, who made the AL All-Star team this season and has excelled since the break. Rodriguez is the blue chipper, though, who ought to lead the O's rotation into the postseason.
MLB Rumors: A Braves-Tigers trade package for Eduardo Rodriguez
The Braves and Tigers are no strangers to trade deadline deals, and they could link up again this season. Atlanta is reportedly in on Mets ace Justin Verlander. It's unclear if they're just driving up the price tag, or actually intend to land the future Hall of Famer.
However, if Alex Anthopoulos is serious about acquiring a high-caliber starting pitcher, look no further than Rodriguez.
Odds are, Atlanta would need some assurance from Rodriguez that he will opt into the rest of his contract in order to trade a prospect like Smith-Shawver, who at age 20 has already made an MLB cameo and ranks in the top-70 of all prospects in baseball.
It's a steep asking price, but that's what starting pitching costs at the deadline nowadays. Verlander will likely require a top-100 prospect as well, and Rodriguez is younger and arguably better this year.