Brewers Rumors: Crew Listed As Fits For 4 Top Trade Candidates

Brewers rumored trade fit #4: Tigers LHP Eduardo Rodriguez

This is one that's a little surprising. The Brewers starting rotation has battled injuries most of the year, yes. But they've handled it well and Brandon Woodruff is due to return to action soon, which could be a Deadline addition itself without having to give up the prospects.

Wade Miley's recent injury puts the rotation back in a spot where they could use another arm and Eduardo Rodriguez is one of the best available at this year's Deadline.

This season, Rodriguez is posting a 2.69 ERA in 14 starts with just a 1.9 BB/9. He'd be an excellent addition to any rotation but putting Rodriguez behind Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff would make this rotation one of the most feared in all of baseball.

Rodriguez's contract is a complicating factor. He's under possible control for 3.5 more seasons on his five year contract. But he has an opt-out after this year, which means he could hit the open market and look for more money. He'd currently be due $18MM in 2024, $16MM in 2025, and $15MM in 2026. That's a big chunk of change for a team like the Brewers.

Theoretically, Rodriguez could help bridge the Brewers rotation beyond the departures of Burnes and Woodruff after 2024 and give the Crew a solid ace when the current ones leave. But if he continues to pitch like this and opt out, Rodriguez will be out the door and so will Milwaukee's prospects.

What price would the Brewers be willing to pay for a player who could opt out at the end of the season. Surely the Tigers will want a team to be paying for long term control of Rodriguez, meaning a higher prospect cost, but if he opts out, the buying team won't want to pay for three and a half years and only get a half season.

While the Brewers biggest needs are on offense, if they don't find a deal to their liking there, they could double down on pitching as the strength of their team.