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The San Francisco Giants enjoyed a stunning 2021 season by winning 107 games. They lost to the archrival Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS and then lost All-Star pitcher Kevin Gausman to the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency.
Now, the Giants have replaced Gausman and made the first big splash of the post-lockout offseason. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, they have signed starting pitcher Carlos Rodon to a two-year contract worth $44 million.
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
Rodon, a lefty who has spent the entirety of his career with the Chicago White Sox, placed fifth in AL Cy Young Award voting and made the first All-Star game of his career last season. He posted a 2.37 ERA and 0.957 WHIP in 132.2 innings. While the 29-year-old's talent will greatly help the Giants' pitching staff, his health is a big concern.
Rodon has never pitched over 170 innings in any of his seven big-league seasons. He dealt with shoulder fatigue last season that caused him to miss several weeks and started just one playoff game in the ALDS for the White Sox, lasting only a couple of innings. Still, he should make for a strong addition to the Giants' rotation alongside Logan Webb and Anthony DeSclafani.
San Francisco still needs to make some more upgrades around the roster with star outfielder Kris Bryant hitting free agency and catcher Buster Posey retiring. Landing Rodon is a very good start, though. The Giants showed last season that they are able to compete at a high level and that they are serious about contending.
