Chicago White Sox: 3 destinations for Carlos Rodon
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.
New York Yankees
It seems as though we have been waiting all offseason for the New York Yankees to do something. To this point, that something has been a few minor moves, with the players that were designated for assignment drawing more attention.
Meanwhile, the Yankees have plenty of holes on their roster, especially in the rotation. Everything after Gerrit Cole is a question mark, either due to injury, inconsistency, or the uncertainty of whether or not their performance can be replicated. The Yankees could use some stability in the rotation for 2022.
Rodon could be that piece. He could slot after Cole as their second starter, moving Nestor Cortes back and taking some pressure off of the oft-injured Jameson Taillon. Even if he is not the arm that Yankees fans had hoped for at the start of free agency, he would still be a marked upgrade over some of the pitchers that took the mound last season.
It is also worth noting that he could be more than a one year deal even if the Yankees sign him for just the 2022 campaign. The Chicago White Sox declined to extend the Qualifying Offer, making that a possibility depending on the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. A strong year with the Yankees could lead to a second season.
The New York Yankees need to find another piece in the rotation. Carlos Rodon may not be the biggest name, but he would make a difference.
New York Mets
The New York Mets already stole Eric Chavez from the Yankees. Why not outbid them for Carlos Rodon?
The Mets went on an impressive spending spree prior to the lockout. Their outfield has been revamped, infield depth is improved, and Max Scherzer has given them a second ace to pair with Jacob deGrom. It has been a great start to their offseason.
But the Mets are not done. They still need to find more depth, both in the rotation and in the bullpen. Even when they felt they had plenty of depth, such as they did prior to the 2021 season, injuries piled up and ruined the year.
Rodon would be a solid fit in the Mets rotation. Depending on which Taijuan Walker they have in 2022, Rodon would slot in as their third or fourth starter. With owner Steve Cohen’s mandate that the Mets begin to win championships as soon as possible, Rodon would help with that edict.
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The New York Mets need more depth in their rotation. Carlos Rodon would be a significant upgrade.