As anticipated, Giants starter Carlos Rodón formally turned a free agent Sunday, opting out of his San Francisco contract which might have earned him $22.5 million in 2023.
He stands to make far more assured cash than that in free company. The query is whether or not or not it is going to be the Giants nonetheless reducing his checks.
Rodón, who turns 30 subsequent month, set himself as much as develop into one of the prized pitchers on the open market this winter after a blinding efficiency in his first yr with the Giants. He pitched to a 2.88 ERA in 178 innings over 31 begins whereas belying his earlier fame as an oft-injured pitcher whereas with the Chicago White Sox, the place he made simply 41 begins over the 4 earlier years.
The 2-year, $44 million contract he signed with the Giants in March included an opt-out clause permitting him to develop into a free agent once more if he surpassed 110 innings pitched in 2022.
Farhan Zaidi, Giants president of baseball operations, mentioned on the finish of the season there was mutual curiosity in Rodón returning. However Rodón stands to earn a deal price greater than $100 milion. The longest contract the Giants have handed out underneath Zaidi’s regime was a three-year, $36 million deal to Anthony DeSclafani.
That’s why there’s a powerful probability the Giants might lose an All-Star beginning pitcher in free company for the second straight low season. San Francisco noticed Kevin Gausman go away after his stellar 2020 season – 14-6, 2.81 ERA – to signal a five-year, $110 million cope with Toronto.
It’s doubtless Rodón’s subsequent contract can be considerably related.
Ought to Rodón go away by way of free company, the Giants determine to recoup a compensatory draft decide. They've till Thursday to make a $19.65 million qualifying supply, which they're anticipated to do ought to either side fail to make a deal by then.
Irrespective of Rodón’s vacation spot, San Francisco’s rotation ought to once more be a power with ace Logan Webb returning, together with Alex Cobb and left-hander Alex Wooden. Different starters underneath contract embody Jakob Junis and DeSclafani. As well as, Farhan has indicated the workforce would pursue one other beginning pitcher if it loses Rodón.
The Giants have 4 different free brokers they should make selections on, together with first baseman Brandon Belt, outfielder Joc Pederson and pitchers José Álvarez and Shelby Miller.