Carlos Rodón has opted out of the final year on his two-year, $44 million contract with the Giants and is now a free agent. MLB.com is tracking the latest rumors surrounding the left-hander.
Nov. 6: Rodón opts out; what’s next?
As expected, Rodón has opted out of the final year on his two-year deal with the Giants. Rodón was due to be paid $22.5 million next season, but he gained the ability to opt out after pitching more than 110 innings in 2022.
The Giants will likely extend Rodón a one-year, $19.65 million qualifying offer before Thursday’s deadline, though he will probably decline that. He could find his way back to the Giants on a long-term deal as San Francisco does have a lot of payroll flexibility this offseason. The Rangers are reportedly interested in the left-hander (subscription required), and they could be joined by the Yankees and Mets. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand said both New York clubs will both be players in the free-agent pitching market this winter. That’s especially true for the Mets, who face the prospect of losing Jacob deGrom, Chris Bassitt and Taijuan Walker on the open market.
The 29-year-old Rodón was dominant this past season, recording a 2.88 ERA and 237 strikeouts over a career-high 178 innings.
Oct. 22: Rangers expected to make run at Rodón?
The Rangers were among the most aggressive teams in free agency a year ago, signing Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Jon Gray for $556 million in guaranteed money. After finishing 68-94 and parting ways with president of baseball operations Jon Daniels and manager Chris Woodward, Texas could be busy again this offseason, especially when it comes to improving its pitching staff.
Citing talks with a person familiar with the team’s thinking, The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly reported (subscription required) Saturday that the Rangers are expected to “make a hard push” for Rodón, assuming he opts out of his contract.
The Rangers have a clear need for a frontline starter. Texas had the fourth-worst ERA (4.22) in the American League in 2022, and with Martín Pérez’s one-year deal set to expire, the club lacks proven arms behind Gray.
Oct. 7: Zaidi expects Rodón to opt out
Addressing the team’s offseason plans on Friday, president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said the Giants “fully expect” Rodón to opt out of his contract to test free agency.
Rodón was a free agent last offseason, too, before signing a two-year, $44 million deal with San Francisco in March, with the ability to opt out after one year if he reached 110 innings in 2022.
His stock is much higher now than it was after last season.
Although he posted a 2.37 ERA with a 12.6 K/9 over 132 2/3 innings with the White Sox in 2021, there were lingering questions about his durability, as well as his ability to sustain his elite performance. Rodón underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and had a lifetime 4.14 ERA with an 8.8 K/9 and a 3.9 BB/9 entering 2021. He also dealt with left shoulder fatigue toward the end of last year’s breakout campaign.
But Rodón quieted concerns with another excellent season. The 29-year-old finished 2022 with a career-high 178 innings and recorded a 2.88 ERA with 237 K’s, which will make him one of the most coveted starters on the market (assuming he opts out).
Zaidi said there is “mutual interest” in a return, but he would likely need to step outside his comfort zone to re-sign Rodón. Since Zaidi joined the Giants in November 2018, the longest deal the club has reached with a free-agent pitcher is a three-year, $36 million pact with Anthony DeSclafani.