Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez said he has "nothing against the Dodgers or the West Coast" despite his decision to veto a move to Los Angeles ahead of Tuesday's deadline, according to Jason Beck of MLB.com.
"It's just about the details to go out there and where my family is. My future is where they're happy and I'm happy, and that's why I decided to stay here," Rodriguez said following Wednesday's win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It has nothing to do with the Dodgers."
Rodriguez was considered one of the best pitchers potentially available on the trade market. While the move would've taken him from a third-place team in the AL Central that sits seven games back of a postseason spot to the NL West leader and perennial powerhouse, Rodriguez noted that he loves the Tigers.
"I love the guys here, and I feel like they love me, too," he said, according to Beck. "I know we have a really good team, and we have a really good future over here with the young guys. I want to be part of it, and that's why I decided to stay here."
Rodriguez's agent Gene Mato also released a statement on his client's behalf:
Statement from Mato Sports Management pic.twitter.com/FoClZJPnh7
— gene mato (@genemato) August 3, 2023
The 30-year-old is in the midst of his second season with the Tigers after signing a five-year, $77-million contract with the club prior to the 2022 campaign. The lefty is posting an impressive 2.96 ERA and 3.10 FIP over 94 1/3 innings this year and can opt out of his contract's three remaining years ($49 million) this coming winter.
"If I had a magic ball and I could tell you the future, I'd probably tell you right away," Rodriguez said, according to Beck. "But right now, I'm here. I'm with this organization, and I signed here for a long time to stay here. I feel happy with everything. My family feels happy in Detroit."
If E-Rod tests the open market, he'd join the likes of Shohei Ohtani, Marcus Stroman, Blake Snell, and Julio Urias as the top pitchers available.
