Blue Jays: Potential pitching depth targets ahead of the trade deadline

Starters Eduardo Rodriguez and Michael Lorenzen and relievers Alex Lange and José Cisnero of the Detroit Tigers

Tigers ace Eduardo Rodriguez has an opt-out clause in his contract after the 2023 season. While he’s currently on the 15-day injured list dealing with a finger injury, he’s been outstanding on a bad Detroit team so far this year, with a 4-4 record, 2.13 ERA, 3.15 FIP and 67 Ks against 16 walks in 11 starts over 67.2 innings, with an ERA+ of 202 and WHIP of just 0.975 for a bWAR of 2.7.

The 30-year old is in the second year of his five-year, $77 million deal with the Tigers, with an AAV of $15.4 million. If he opts out, he’d be looking for more than the three years and $49 million left on his deal from 2024 through his age-33 season in 2026. If the Tigers sense he might be thinking of opting out of his deal, could be be dealt by the trade deadline?

Other arms of interest include 31-year old righty Michael Lorenzen, who signed a one year, $8.5 million deal with Detroit for this season. He’s been a solid innings eater, with a 3.75 ERA over 10 starts and 60.0 innings, with a FIP of 4.02 and WHIP of 1.017.

The Tigers also have some bullpen arms generating interest ahead of the trade deadline, with closer Alex Lange and pending 34-year old free agent José Cisnero the most intriguing trade targets.