5 pitchers the Reds could target in the final hours of the MLB trade deadline

2. The Reds could target Tigers pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez before the MLB trade deadline.

Here's a name that's gaining some steam. A few unconfirmed reports have linked Eduardo Rodriguez to the Cincinnati Reds, and there's reason to believe that this deal could get worked out. Much like Justin Verlander, Rodriguez is more than just a two-month rental. Or is he?

There's a major hangup when it comes to Rodriguez's contract, and that's his ability to opt out after the 2023 season. According to Spotrac, the five-year/$77-million deal that Rodriguez signed before the 2022 season allows the southpaw to forgo the final three seasons and re-enter free agency this offseason.

That's going to scare some teams away altogether or lessen the Detroit Tigers ability to secure top-notch draft capital in return. Rodriguez, much like Max Scherzer did prior to his trade to the Texas Rangers, may have to opt in to the remainder of the deal in order to facilitate a trade.

But that's a lot of zeroes on the backend of that deal. Would the Cincinnati Reds really want to go down that road with so many young players looking to score big-time contract extensions in the future?

Don't dismiss the idea of Cincinnati adding Rodriguez at the trade deadline, but the Reds might be one of the few teams who'd prefer to give up very little in return assuming that E-Rod would exercise the opt-out clause after the 2023 season ended.