Rodriguez Stands Ground, Prioritizes Family Over Trade to Dodgers

• MLB

In a surprising move, Eduardo Rodriguez, the veteran left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, used his 10-team no-trade clause to veto a potential deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This decision came to light following the Tigers' 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

Amid swirling trade rumors leading up to Tuesday's trade deadline, Rodriguez decided to stay put in Detroit. His performance on the mound on Wednesday, where he gave up just two runs on seven hits and struck out five in six innings, was a resounding testament to his value to the team.

"The details of the trade weren't what I wanted for me and my family, and I decided to stay in Detroit," Rodriguez said post-game. He added that his decision had nothing to do with the caliber of the Dodgers, acknowledging them as a strong team.

His primary motivation, he clarified, was thinking about his family and his future.

Weighing a Lucrative Contract Against Family Happiness

Rodriguez, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract with the Tigers in 2021, has the option to opt out this offseason.

However, his statements seemed to imply a preference for stability and contentment over a potential high-profile move. "If I had a magic ball and could tell you what's going to happen in the future, I'd probably tell you right away," he admitted to reporters.

"Right now, I am here. I signed with this organization for a long time, and I'm happy with everything. My family feels happy in Detroit, and I'm happy with my teammates and the organization. I'd love to stay here."

Dodgers Left Surprised

The Dodgers, who were confident of securing Rodriguez, were taken aback when he chose not to relocate to the West Coast.

Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations, revealed his surprise post-deadline: "We thought it was done. And then we learned that it wasn't." Friedman added, "We thought with having a lot of his ex-teammates and guys he's played with, our place in the standings, I thought we would be very desirable." Despite their disappointment, the Dodgers voiced respect for Rodriguez's decision to prioritize his family.