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After a seven-season run with the Chicago White Sox, Carlos Rodon elected to take his talents to the San Francisco Giants earlier this month. The veteran starting pitcher came to terms with the Giants on a two-year, $44 million deal.
Over the free agency period, Rodon was linked with a return to the White Sox, and the New York Yankees reportedly issued a request for his medicals. In the end, he opted to join the reigning NL West champions.
After White Sox team officials declined to extend Rodon a one-year, $18.4 million qualifying offer, they remained in contact with the All-Star for a possible return. Still, Rodon aspired to “explore other options” in free agency.
“There were some talks,” Rodon said on Thursday. “There’s only so much a team can do. It’s not like they didn’t want me on their team. The Sox wanted me, and I gladly would have come back. Sometimes you have to explore other options.”
Now with the Giants, Rodon is looking ahead to once again playing on a postseason-contending team.
“It’s hard to leave an organization you’ve played your whole career for,” Rodon said. “It’s part of the game. It’s part of the business. You move on. I’m excited to be a Giant. This is a very, very good organization. It’s good to be a part of a contender, leaving a contender. Playing with the White Sox was a pleasure as well.”
Rodon posted career highs across the board in what turned out to be his final season with the White Sox last year, including in ERA+ (183) and strikeouts (185). Injuries did sideline the veteran left-hander from key games in the campaign, which included a stint on the injured list in August due to left shoulder fatigue.
Overall, Rodon joins a Giants starting rotation that features the likes of Logan Webb and free agent addition Alex Cobb. Plenty of expectations sure are set on the Giants to repeat as NL West champions, although the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are slated to once again provide them with stern competition over the course of the upcoming season.
