NEWSLETTER
The San Francisco Giants beat the Chicago Cubs last night, primarily on the strength of a dominant outing from Carlos Rodon. Modestly ironic, given that another win makes them slightly less likely to sell … but Rodon being so dominant might make the Giants more willing to move him.
To that point, the San Francisco write-up on the game from The Athletic certainly has the VIBE of a team that is not only willing to trade Rodon right now, but might feel like they need to. It’s not just any one line from the piece that gives you that sense, so you kinda have to read the whole thing to pick it up.
Still, there was at least one section that really stood out:
The Giants must balance winning tomorrow with winning as many games as they can in 2023. It’s hard to fathom their doing enough of the former if they ship Rodón off their roster. It’s hard to fathom their doing enough of the latter if they don’t.
This much you can count on, and I have this on good authority: If Zaidi finds a compelling trade for Rodón, Giants ownership will not stand in his way.
You are reminded, if Rodon is traded now, then he cannot be made a Qualifying Offer by his new team after the season. That would put at least one front-line starting pitcher on the free agent market WITHOUT draft pick compensation attached. For the Chicago Cubs, who are very likely to go after a top pitcher this offseason, that would be a big assist in their efforts (since I’m sure they are once again going to be seriously reluctant to sign a player that costs top-of-the-market dollars AND their high second round pick (and bonus pool money, and IFA money)). Sure, other teams would be boosted, too, but I don’t know how many other big market teams will be drafting as high as the Cubs, and thus be in a position to feel this kind of bind about tip-top qualified free agents.
And, since the Cubs don’t have a top pitcher in the trade market right now, adding Rodon to that pool doesn’t really hurt the Cubs’ Trade Deadline efforts in any direct way. Thus: I’m rooting for a trade.
