Pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez (30-Detroit Tigers), who rejected a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, gave his reasons. On the surface, he cited family issues, but behind the scenes, it was all about money.
Rodriguez was coming off a start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 3, when he pitched six innings of seven-hit ball with one walk and five strikeouts to lead Detroit to a 6-3 victory. Rodriguez, who improved to 7-5 on the season, kept his ERA in the low 2s (2.96). He ranks fifth in ERA among 46 American League pitchers with 90 or more innings pitched.
After the game, local media attention centered not on Rodriguez’s victory, but on his refusal to be traded to the Dodgers at the trade deadline the day before. The Dodgers, in desperate need of starting pitching, had agreed to a trade with Detroit for Rodriguez in exchange for prospects, but the player rejected the deal.
Dodgers rejected, ostensibly due to Rodriguez family issues
Rodriguez, who signed a five-year, $77 million free agent contract with Detroit in November 2021, had a no-trade clause for 10 teams at the time. The Dodgers were one of them, and Rodriguez’s veto made the Dodgers watered down in the final stages of the trade. Even Detroit didn’t see it coming.
Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman said, “I didn’t see this coming at all. I wish we could have had him,” said Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman. Even Dodgers players who were close to Rodriguez were unable to convince him to stay in Detroit.
Rodriguez himself has spoken out about the situation. According to local reports, including MLB.com, Rodriguez said after the game, “I’ve had every conversation with Detroit president of baseball operations Scott Harris. Ultimately, I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s best for me and my family’s future to remain here.”
“It’s not that I don’t like the Dodgers or the West Coast. It was more about where my family would be happy, and we decided to stay in Detroit. It has nothing to do with the Dodgers,” he said, explaining that he prioritized where his family would feel comfortable.
Rodriguez’s agent, Gene Matto, also released a statement on the matter, saying, “There is a no-trade clause in Rodriguez’s contract for a reason. Along with the money, honor, and fame, there is a very difficult and personal side to being a professional athlete. Many players’ wives and children experience a lot of instability in their lives when a player is traded. We don’t take that lightly. Rodriguez is one of the best left-handed starters in the league, but he’s also a man who wants stability for his family. He’s comfortable in the Detroit area. “After the trade to the Dodgers came up, we did everything we could to make it work for everyone. Unfortunately, we ran out of time.”
Real reason: money? Dodgers asked for one more year, $20 million contract
However, reports have emerged that Rodriguez rejected the trade over money. “Sources told The Athletic that Rodriguez and his agent, Matto, demanded contract modifications as a condition of joining the Dodgers, but when they weren’t granted, he vetoed the trade,” Rodriguez said. Rodriguez was coy about the specifics of the trade, saying, “The details of the trade were not what me and my family wanted,” but it came down to money.
The Athletic explained that Rodriguez’s camp demanded that the Dodgers add a one-year, $20 million option to his contract if he did not opt out after this season. Rodriguez has an opt-out right to become a free agent after this season. If he doesn’t exercise it, he’ll be under contract for five years through 2026. Rodriguez apparently asked the Dodgers for an additional $20 million for 2027 in exchange for not opting out. Matto declined to comment when asked by The Athletic.온라인카지노
‘If Rodriguez was willing to join the Dodgers, Matto should take some of the blame,’ The Athletic wrote. Detroit president Scott Harris, who misread Rodriguez’s and Matto’s intentions and failed to have a contingency plan in place in case a trade with the Dodgers fell through, also deserves some blame,’ adding, ‘Detroit missed an opportunity to acquire a top prospect with the top pick on the trade market. If Rodriguez opts out after the season, Detroit will lose a player for nothing. As a rebuilding team, it made sense to sell Rodriguez and receive a prospect.
Rodriguez, who is on pace for career-high numbers this season, can expect a bigger deal than that if he opts out of the remaining three years and $49 million on his contract and hits free agency. “I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Rodriguez said, “but right now I’m here. I’m in this organization, and I signed to be here for a long time. My family is happy in Detroit in every way. The team has a lot of young, good players and the future is bright. I want to be a part of that, so I’m here to stay.”