Detroit's Time

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 Written by: Matt Ferreira

Image by: Billie Weiss/ Boston Red Sox


  According to Jeff Passan at ESPN, Eduardo Rodriguez has agreed to a deal with the Detroit Tigers worth 5 years and $77 million dollars. 



 Rodriguez, previously of the Boston Red Sox, was sixth in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2019, and had a debatably better season in 2021. After missing all of the 2020 campaign, due to an underlying heart condition developed after he contracted COVID-19, Rodriguez had a 4.74 ERA in 31 starts with the Boston Red Sox this past season. While the ERA was higher than usual, he posted career highs in K/9, BB/9, FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching, a stat calculating the ERA on events that only the pitcher can control ex. strikeouts, walks, home runs). 

 For Rodriguez this is close to, if not the best case scenario. Rodriguez got the amount of years he was asking for, and around roughly the average annual value of a qualifying offer ($18.4 million this offseason). Not only that, but he is now able to escape his worst enemy, Fenway Park. Rodriguez had a 3.95 ERA while pitching on the road, compared to his 5.95 ERA at home. Righties often pulled balls over the Green Monster that in any other ballpark would be fly outs, moving to Comerica Park could not be more ideal for him. Comerica Park is one of the most pitching friendly parks in the major leagues. According to baseball savant by MLB, Fenway Park ranks as the fourth most hitter friendly ballpark in 2021, Comerica Park 23rd. ERod will greatly benefit from the change in scenery, the only question is who will field the team behind him?

 The Detroit Tigers for years have had spending sprees, the latest being the 2012-2015 teams, paying Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, and more before having to sell most of their key players off. Since breaking down the pennant winning team, the Tigers have had some poor seasons which has resulted in high draft selections. The Tigers have been building the farm system, taking Casey Mize, (2018) and Spencer Torkelson (2020) first overall in their respective drafts. On top of that the Tigers have been able to call some prospects up sooner than expected to get them some big league experience. Mize, Matt Manning, Isaac Parades, Akil Baddoo, and Daz Cameron have all been able to get some service time and learn from current veterans Miguel Cabrera, Jonathan Schoop, and more.



 The only question with the Tigers was were they going to be willing to spend to fix holes in their pitching and to supplement the prospects they already have. The Tigers had been linked to ERod since the Red Sox were eliminated by the Astros, and the early signing in the offseason could mean big things for the Tigers. Could they potentially spend to try and bring back Justin Verlander? Will they spend the money to land prize shortstop Carlos Correa? With tons of superstar free agents this offseason, it is possible the Tigers spend big money trying to make one last push at getting Miguel Cabrera a ring, and beyond. 

 After the 2023 season the Tigers will no longer have to pay Cabrera’s eight year $240 million dollar contract. This will free up an extra $30 million dollars a year, allowing them to supplement the talent they acquire this offseason. An extra star, or multiple role players, with an abundance of prospects is a recipe for success, and seemingly the road the Tigers are going down.

 Expect the Detroit Tigers to be linked to some big names this offseason, and do not doubt for a second that they are not willing to dish out money. If they play their cards right, the Detroit Tigers could be division winners in a weak American League Central, if not World Series contenders in 2022. 


Location: Boston, MA, USA

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