FINALLY. Something to dig into! Even if I don’t love it …
The last couple years, the San Francisco Giants have been home to many a reclaimed starting pitcher. It’s clearly something they’ve gotten really good at, and if I were Carlos Rodon, I would probably be interested in the Giants, too:
Sounds as if Carlos Rodon is very much in play for the Giants, and that could happen quickly, I am told.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) March 11, 2022
Rodon, 29, was excellent for the White Sox last year when healthy, but he had arm issues late in the year, his velocity dipped, and then – most notably – the White Sox declined to make him a qualifying offer. It felt telling.
Updates forthcoming.
UPDATE: It’s happening:
Left-handed starter Carlos Rodón and the San Francisco Giants are in agreement on a two-year, $44 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources familiar with the deal tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 11, 2022
A two-year deal with an opt-out is otherwise – better – known as a one-year deal with a player option for a second year.
The dollars here are pretty striking. Basically, Rodon is guaranteed $44 million no matter what. But if he’s fantastic this year, he can just head right back out into free agency. I’ll be curious to see the annual breakdown, but this looks like a really good deal for Rodon.
THAT SAID, if you have the short-term dollars, these high-AAV deals are just not a bad idea. Almost ever.
As for the Giants, they had a ton of holes in their rotation after the 2021 season, but acted quickly to sign Alex Cobb, Alex Wood, and Anthony DeSclafani before the lockout. And now Rodon.