Although Aaron Judge headlined MLB free agency this offseason, there wasn’t a shortage of marquee starting pitchers available on the open market. The group was led by Jacob deGrom, Carlos Rodón and Justin Verlander.
deGrom was first to land a new contract as the Texas Rangers lured him away from the New York Mets with a five-year, $185 million deal. The Mets responded by signing Verlander and Kodai Senga to fill out their starting rotation.
That left Rodón as the best starter available, and he reportedly drew interest from a slew of teams.
According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Rodón decided on signing a six-year, $162 million contract with the Yankees, and it includes a full no-trade clause:
Rodon Yankees deal: 6/162mm. Full no trade
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 16, 2022
After spending seven seasons with the Chicago White Sox, Rodón signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants that included an opt-out clause he wound up exercising.
The southpaw went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA, 2.25 FIP, 1.03 WHIP and 33.4% strikeout rate en route to earning a second consecutive selection to the All-Star Game. However, he was replaced on the roster by Tyler Anderson.
At the start of the offseason, Rodón was projected to receive a five-year contract worth an estimated $130 million. A strong market and quality season with the Giants wound up netting the southpaw an additional year and more lucrative deal.
For the Yankees, adding the 29-year-old adds to a successful offseason that already saw them fend off the Giants and San Diego Padres to retain Judge. Multiple reports indicated the 2022 American League MVP conveyed to the Yankees front office he hoped they would sign Rodón.
Were the Dodgers interested in Carlos Rodón?
During the first few weeks of free agency, the Los Angeles Dodgers were among the teams connected to Rodón. However, more recently they were ruled out as a potential suitor.
That didn’t come as much of a surprise when taking into account how president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has conducted business. Signs continue to point toward the Dodgers wanting to have a payroll that finishes below the luxury tax threshold for 2023 in order to reset their penalties.
The Dodgers have addressed their starting rotation by re-signing Clayton Kershaw to a one-year contract, and also agreeing to a deal with Noah Syndergaard for next season.
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