Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon wants a nine-figure deal while the Yankees are almost ready to make one in the next day or two, reported John Heyman of the New York Post. Rodon wants a contract with more than seven years and more than $200 million. The Yankees don’t seem willing to go that far, but they also seem very serious and hopeful about this pursuit.
The Yankees have started talking with the left-handed star pitcher. A seventh year is a high goal for Carlos Rodon’s team, which is led by Boras Corporation if they don’t plan on a big drop every year to make up for the longer term. That doesn’t seem to be the case, since Heyman writes that they want a deal with guarantees of more than $200 million.
Only six pitchers in baseball history have made more than $200 million. Gerrit Cole gets the most money with $324 million over nine years. The rest of the group gets between $206.5 million and $245 million. The only other pitchers to reach that level are Stephen Strasburg, David Price, Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, and Zack Greinke. Kevin Brown, Mike Hampton, CC Sabathia, and Barry Zito are some other free agent pitchers who have signed deals with more than seven years and less than $200 million. This is rare for a pitcher, though but Carlos Rodon expects it.
Some rumors have also linked the Yankees to star free agent shortstop Carlos Correa, but it’s clear that Carlos Rodon is their main priority. The Giants, Cardinals, and several other teams are also interested in Rodon.
The Yankees like Correa as a player, but it’s hard for them to see a place for him, either financially or on the field. They already have three shortstop candidates, plus D.J. LeMahieu and Josh Donaldson, who isn’t thought to be tradeable after a bad offensive season. So, they are out for Carlos Rodon.
The 30-year-old has been an All-Star twice and helped the San Francisco Giants win a career-high 14 games this year. Carlos Rodon is seen as one of the most important free agents this year. He just finished a season in which he went 14-8, had an ERA of 2.88, and had 237 strikeouts and 52 walks. He tied for the 12th-lowest ERA in the MLB and had the third most strikeouts.
The current Giants are interested in Carlos Rodon, but the Yankees think he would rather be in the East. Rodon is from Miami and went to North Carolina State, just like Trea Turner. The Yankees already won the most expensive war with the Giants and Padres for their own superstar free agent, Aaron Judge. Carlos Rodon has also been looked at by the Rangers, Orioles, Twins, and other teams, but it’s not clear how interested they are.
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