Eduardo Rodriguez pitched the Tigers to a 6-3 victory over the Pirates on Wednesday in Pittsburgh, then addressed why he opted to stay with Detroit afterward.
The veteran left-hander used his 10-team no-trade clause to veto a deal that may have despatched him to the Los Angeles Dodgers forward of Tuesday’s commerce deadline.
The choice stunned many; the Dodgers lead the NL West and the Tigers are properly out of the playoff race. However Rodriguez maintained that the selection had extra to do with simply altering groups.
“The main points of the commerce weren’t what I needed for me and my household, and I made a decision to remain in Detroit,” he mentioned after giving up two runs on seven hits and putting out 5 in six innings. “It is nothing in opposition to the Dodgers. They’ve a extremely good workforce over there. Simply excited about my future and my household.”
This offseason, Rodriguez can decide out of a five-year, $77 million deal he signed with the Tigers in 2021. And whereas he did not affirm his plans Wednesday, he famous he is loved his time in Detroit.
“If I had a magic ball and I may inform you what is going on to occur sooner or later, I might in all probability inform you immediately,” he instructed reporters. “Proper now I’m right here. I signed with this group for a very long time and I am proud of all the pieces. My household feels blissful in Detroit, and I am proud of my teammates and the group.
“I might love to remain right here.”
The Dodgers have been stunned Rodriguez opted to not come to the West Coast, with president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman saying after Tuesday’s deadline handed: “We thought it was completed. After which we discovered that it wasn’t.”
The workforce even deployed a few of its gamers, a few of whom beforehand teamed with Rodriguez on the Boston Pink Sox, in an effort to get him to vary his thoughts, however to no avail.
“We thought with having numerous his ex-teammates and guys he is performed with, our place within the standings, I believed we’d be very fascinating,” Friedman mentioned.
“We by no means received an opportunity to speak to Eduardo. However we talked to his agent quite a few occasions. We respect that he had this proper and he exercised it. Clearly would’ve beloved for him to hitch what we’ve going right here. Nevertheless it’s onerous for us to argue with household causes.”
Rodriguez moved to 7-5 with a 2.96 ERA following Wednesday’s win.
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.
