Avila signed Rodriguez, didn't he? Harris may want him to opt out, if the rental return isn't enough. Teams know if we lose him, we get nothing. That seriously limits the return.
I heard someone mention the Cardinals may desperately need controlled pitchers. If the Tigers bought out the Rodriguez opt-out, extended Lorenzen and then trade Skubal and Lange for Arenado, we would be a playoff team.
If there were a better option at SS? I would replace him. And my point about benching him has more to do with performance than is does salary. It's not a good look for any sport when contracts over quality of play determines whether a player is benched.
I get it. But if he ended up hitting .320 with 30 home runs and 110 RBI, he would be gone and all the Tiger fans would want to keep him. So he's either successful and leaves or he sucks and stays.