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New York Yankees reportedly have ‘low’ confidence level in potentially signing superstar free agent Justin Verlander, according to New York Post’s Jon Hay Mann said
, but Carlos Rodon could provide a strong backup plan as the team looks to improve their rotation. According to the report, “The Yankees are very fond of Rodón, who is bigger than former two free agent starters Verlander and New York. Mets star Jacob deGrom is younger and has a full 2022 All-Star season.” The Yankees also approached Japanese pitchers Koudai Senga, Jameson Taillon and some potential trade targets, according to Heyman. Rodón, 29, had a breakout season for the Chicago White Sox in 2021 with a 2.37 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 1 finished 13-5 with 85 strikeouts in 132.2 innings. That made him one of the top free agents on the market last offseason, and the San Francisco Giants signed him signed a two-year, $44 million contract that includes an opt-out clause that he exercises this offseason. Not before his stellar numbers, he went 14 with 2.88 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 237 strikeouts in 178 innings. -8 ends. His wins, strikeouts and innings pitched are all career bests. Rodón doesn’t have Cy Young’s triple crown pedigree like Wieland or a two-time champion like de Grom. But Wieland, 39, and deGrom, 34, have battled injuries throughout their careers. That makes Rodón an interesting option for a starter for any team on the market, including the Yankees. He should have many suitors:
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Dodgers? Rangers? The Mets? @jonmorosi has the latest combination of potential landing spots for All-Star lefty Carlos Rodón. pic.twitter.com/qiB29qvtRp
Jon Morosi @jonmorosi #Rangers As we discussed earlier today on #MLBNHotStove , free agent Carlos Rodon is most serious Suitors. @MLBNetwork @MLB As for the Yankees, the priority is to keep Aaron Judge, Heyman noted that the slugger “is by far the main target for the Yankees (and their most likely sign one)”, adding that “the Yankees are very happy with their chances of keeping Judge (or as good as they can be right now), even though his free agency journey with the deep-pocketed Giants has publicly begun”
