Chicago White Sox: 3 destinations for Carlos Rodon
By David Hill
What a difference an offseason has made for Carlos Rodon.
He had been a talented, but enigmatic, starter for the Chicago White Sox. However, he was also on what seemed to be his last chance in the majors. The White Sox had let him go rather than offer Rodon arbitration, eventually bringing him back on a one year deal worth $3 million.
Three destinations for Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon
Rodon is set to earn far more than that in this trek through free agency. He is arguably the best pitcher left on the market, someone that could be viewed as a viable option as a second starter on a contending team. While there are some concerns due to his shoulder woes from last year, that should not stop Rodon from having a robust market when free agency begins once again.
Where will former Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon end up? Let’s take a look at three possible landing spots.
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners have already taken one step towards addressing their rotation by adding Robbie Ray. However, that may not be enough.
It is something that the Mariners themselves recognize. They have been very clear about a desire to continue to upgrade the rotation, seeking fits either via trade or free agency if such an arm was available.
Rodon may be that. Although he is not necessarily a second top of the rotation arm, he would be a solid option as a second or third starter. He would add more upside to the Mariners’ rotation, as well as a track record of being a fairly dependable arm.
It is also possible that he fits in with the Mariners’ timeline for their prospects. Rodon may end up signing a one year deal at a relatively high dollar amount, especially if teams are leery of his shoulder. A one year deal would also allow Seattle to bring their young arms along at a slower pace, giving them a chance to find success at the major league level before they have to be counted on.
The Seattle Mariners are still looking for another arm in the rotation. Carlos Rodon could be the perfect fit for the short and long term.