5 trade candidates to start thinking about amid Max Scherzer injury concerns

5) The Mets should acquire an Eduardo who contributes to the team

Eduardo Rodriguez could be the most intriguing option among all the starting pitchers that would be available in the coming weeks. The Detroit Tigers find themselves in a potential seller position again this summer.

Rodriguez is at his best in 2023. With a microscopic ERA coupled with the lowest average walks per nine innings in his career, Eduardo Rodriguez looks like an ace, and his Statcast page confirms it. 

His improvement this season is mainly due to limiting damage via home runs by decreasing the hard-hit contact allowed, the lowest of his career. His entire arsenal is generating a slugging below .350, and his top three pitches (fastball, cutter, and change-up) are fanning more hitters than in years past.

Rodriguez's value couldn't be higher, making him more attractive to the Tigers to sell him. However, what makes this candidate more interesting is his contract.

Eduardo Rodriguez has three more years of control after 2023, with a contract value of $49 million between 2024 and 2026. However, Rodriguez has an option out after this season. Additionally, it has a 10-team no-trade clause that would limit the number of contenders that could acquire its services.

If he continues to maintain his current performance, Rodriguez could prove to be relatively expensive given his contractual situation. However, this new way of pitching projects him as a great weapon on the mound that could help any team in search of the postseason.