The countdown is underway.
As of Monday afternoon, the Detroit Tigers are maintaining their high asking prices for left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez and right-hander Michael Lorenzen leading up to Tuesday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline, according to multiple industry sources.
The asking price for Rodriguez, despite his opt-out clause and 10-team no-trade clause, is believed to be higher than the asking price for Lorenzen. Several postseason contenders, including the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks, need help in the starting rotation.
TIGERS NEWSLETTER: Why E-Rod, Michael Lorenzen might be steals at trade deadline
The Tigers seem motivated to trade Rodriguez by Monday night, according to a source, before beginning a two-game series Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Rodriguez, as well as many of his teammates, stayed in Florida for the off day following a three-game series against the Miami Marlins.
One of two things must happen for the Tigers to close an E-Rod deal by Monday night: The Tigers need to lower their asking price, or an interested team needs to pony up with the prospects the Tigers want in return.
Here’s a third option: The Tigers could offer a prospect of their own as insurance for Rodriguez’s opt-out clause.
Rodriguez, who signed a five-year, $77 million contract in November 2021, is expected to exercise the opt-out clause in his contract after this season, thus leaving three years and $49 million on the table to become a free agent again. But if he suffers an injury, he could opt into the final three years and cash the checks.
LIVE UPDATES: MLB trade deadline: What to know about Tigers’ approach, who may go
The opt-out clause makes trading Rodriguez difficult because the 30-year-old, who owns a 2.95 ERA in 88⅓ innings across 15 starts, is basically a three-month rental with additional risk for the team acquiring him.
Many postseason contenders have already traded for starting pitchers: The Los Angeles Angels acquired Lucas Giolito from the Chicago White Sox; the Los Angeles Dodgers landed Lance Lynn from the White Sox; the Texas Rangers picked up Max Scherzer from the New York Mets and Jordan Montgomery from the St. Louis Cardinals; the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Aaron Civale from the Cleveland Guardians.
Some contenders were turned off by the Tigers’ high asking price for Rodriguez.
The Reds are an ideal trade partner for Rodriguez.
There have not been formal talks between Rodriguez and the Tigers about restructuring his contract to keep him in Detroit.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.