Call to the pen
Fansided

From trades to free agents, MLB’s weirdest moves of the offseason

By Colton Stewart

Mar 27, 2022; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) signals from the field prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox during spring training at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2022; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa (4) signals from the field prior to the game against the Boston Red Sox during spring training at CenturyLink Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil
Detroit Tigers lefty Eduardo Rodriguez pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the third inning at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida.Tigersphil /

Detroit gives opt-outs to Javier Baez and Eduardo Rodriguez

Before the offseason even started, there were many thoughts out on the internet and reports that the Tigers were going to be spenders. With top prospects in Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson probably coming up this season (congrats to Torkelson for making the Opening Day roster and hopefully Greene can get back soon!) and all the young pitchers already up the team could be in the running for the playoffs.

Detroit ended up signing Javier Baez as their shortstop of the future and Eduardo Rodriguez as the veteran leader of the rotation to help lead the young guns. I think we all would agree that these are pretty great moves to help the team build towards being a contender once again.

I don’t know if I love the Baez move as I wrote about in an article a couple months back. I really think they should have given Correa the money he wanted because I think he is simply just better than Baez. But, I do understand the argument against Correa in regards to his durability as he has had a good amount of injuries in his past and signing him to a long-term big money deal is scarier than doing it with Baez.

What I really don’t like about these moves and don’t understand about them is why they gave them opt-outs. You are signing these guys to be pieces that your future guys go around, so why are you giving them a chance to leave after two seasons? The Tigers could end up with a fantastic rotation and lineup, but both guys could choose to leave if they wanted to as soon as the team gets momentum.

I feel like both of these deals could have gotten done without putting the opt-outs in and it would have saved a lot of potential future problems. There obviously is no way for me to know that for certain, but with the opportunity the Tigers have plus the money they gave, it all seemed like a pretty good package already.

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