


Eduardo Rodriguez is planning to opt out barring an extension by the incumbent Tigers — the logical call as management sources predict he easily beats the $49 million and three years he has left.
In a solid starting market, he should slot below Jordan Montgomery, who’s enhanced his case with a monster postseason.
There’s a big debate going over which free-agent pitcher — Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Blake Snell — will get the biggest deal.
Yamamoto, 25, has the advantage in age and command but Snell, 30, wins in stuff and pedigree. It should be close with both possibly hitting $200 million.
Aaron Nola slots in next after dominating this postseason (0.90 ERA) following late-season mechanical adjustments. Nola says he prefers to stay in Philly (why not?). The Phillies in spring offered over $100 million, but he’ll exceed that by quite a bit.
Zack Wheeler is brilliant every October (a record 0.70 WHIP lifetime). Mets and other teams’ doctors mistakenly didn’t love his medical history when he was free. But the Phillies bet on his superior analytic numbers and went for Wheeler, one of the best free-agent signings ever. And as it turns out, based on his staying power, he may be the healthiest pitcher going.

The Marcus Stroman opt-out decision isn’t clear-cut even after returning late from hip/rib injuries (he’s never had an arm injury) and will come down to a multiyear deal or one year at $24 million with Cubs, a place he’s comfortable.