3 Tigers players we'll be glad are gone in 2024 and 2 we wish stayed

2 players we wish stayed: Eduardo Rodriguez

By far the Tigers' biggest loss this offseason was E-rod. He signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a four-year deal, not all that different than what the Tigers originally signed him for back in 2021.

E-rod was a bit of polarizing figure amongst Tigers fans. On the field, he was pretty consistent. Last year he had a stretch where he looked like a Cy Young contender. He ended up with a 3.30 ERA in 26 starts. We'll take that all day.

Off the field is where some Tigers fans took exception. There was that three-month period he missed in 2022 to tend to some personal matters. Bummer, for sure, but it's not like that team was going anywhere. Plus, from all accounts, it sounds like he was able to fix whatever was going on his personal life, and that's what's important.

Then there was the trade to the Dodgers he vetoed at the trade deadline last year. If you ask me, he's not to blame for that. That was his right. He had the no-trade clause in his contract, and he decided to do exercise it. That debacle was 100% on Scott Harris. He had to have known about the no-trade clause. Not getting a deal done at the deadline is on him for not having a backup plan.

Then the Tigers chose not to pay E-rod after he opted out of his current contract. All they had to do was add another year and $5 million per year to the deal, but they simply didn't do it. Imagine how good the Tigers rotation would liike if they had E-rod instead of Jack Flaherty. That's what happens when you cheap out.

The Tigers are going to miss E-rod. Having a lefty who fills up the strike zone like he does is far better than not having one. Again, imagine a rotation of Skubal, E-rod, Maeda, Mize, and then Manning or Olson. Doesn't that look a lot better than having Flaherty slotted in where E-rod is. It's just very disappointing that they didn't even bother offering him an extension.

Oh, and by the way, quick geography lesson: Arizona is in the southwest, not the west coast. If you know, you know.