Red Sox Dodged Major Bullet With Top MLB Free-Agent Pitcher
The Boston Red Sox, despite their storied history of success, have often found themselves in the midst of a competitive arms race in the American League East. Over the past few years, the franchise has struggled to maintain consistency, particularly in the pitching department. With the team in the midst of a rebuild and trying to find ways to return to championship contention, their front office has had to make some difficult decisions regarding potential acquisitions. One of the most significant decisions came during the recent MLB offseason when the Red Sox had the opportunity to sign a top free-agent pitcher, but ultimately, they chose to pass on the deal.
That pitcher was none other than the highly coveted right-hander Carlos Rodón, who was coming off a stellar 2022 campaign with the San Francisco Giants. Rodón, a two-time All-Star, had become one of the most sought-after free agents due to his impressive strikeout ability and dominant stuff. His fastball, slider, and ability to miss bats made him a potential ace for any team looking to contend in 2024 and beyond. However, despite being linked heavily to Boston and their apparent need for a top-tier starting pitcher, the Red Sox ultimately decided against making a serious push for Rodón. In hindsight, this decision could end up being a major bullet dodged for the organization.
Rodón’s Big Free-Agent Market
The 2022 Season and Free-Agent Frenzy
Carlos Rodón had a career year in 2022, posting a 2.88 ERA and striking out 237 batters in just 178 innings. His 12 strikeouts per nine innings were among the best in the league, and his ability to dominate hitters made him one of the most coveted free agents that offseason. It wasn’t just his strikeout numbers that made him stand out, but his overall performance and the fact that he had become one of the top left-handed pitchers in baseball.
Given Rodón’s impressive 2022 campaign, it wasn’t surprising that he received significant interest from multiple teams. At just 30 years old, Rodón was viewed as a pitcher who could anchor a rotation for years to come, making him a prime candidate for a long-term, high-value contract. The Red Sox, who were coming off a disappointing 2022 season and looking to bolster their pitching staff, were one of the teams frequently linked to the left-hander. Boston’s rotation, which had featured a mix of veterans and unproven young arms, could certainly have benefitted from a pitcher of Rodón’s caliber.
Rodón’s Contract with the Yankees
Ultimately, Rodón signed a six-year, $162 million contract with the New York Yankees in the 2022-2023 offseason. While this deal made sense for the Yankees—who were looking to add another elite arm to their already loaded rotation—it raised several questions for other suitors, including the Red Sox. While it was easy to see why Rodón would be a target for many teams, the long-term financial commitment made some organizations, including the Red Sox, hesitant to make a deal. The Yankees had the resources and the payroll flexibility to make the contract work, but Boston was already managing multiple large contracts and a payroll that was becoming increasingly top-heavy.
The Red Sox’s Pitching Woes and Future Outlook
A Need for Pitching
As mentioned, the Red Sox have been in a rebuilding phase since their last World Series appearance in 2018. Despite the efforts of their front office to stay competitive, the team has been inconsistent, particularly in terms of pitching. The rotation has been marked by a mixture of injuries, underperformance, and unproven young talent. In recent seasons, the team has struggled to find a consistent ace or a reliable number-two starter, which is why acquiring Rodón seemed like such an attractive option for the Red Sox at the time.
With names like Chris Sale and James Paxton no longer performing at the elite level they once did, and with an underwhelming group of younger pitchers, the Red Sox needed a top-tier arm to give their rotation some legitimacy. Rodón, with his ability to rack up strikeouts and dominate hitters, seemed like the perfect fit. But even as the Red Sox front office was considering all available options, the massive contract that Rodón would require raised concerns.
Financial Flexibility and Long-Term Commitment
The $162 million contract Rodón eventually received from the Yankees was a large investment, and one that could have hampered the Red Sox’s flexibility. Signing Rodón to a multi-year deal would have placed the team in a precarious position financially, especially considering their already sizable payroll commitments to players like Sale, Rafael Devers, and others. The Red Sox had to weigh whether it made sense to commit to such a deal for a player who had had an injury history and would require a long-term commitment that could stretch into his age 36 season.
Additionally, when you consider the Red Sox’s rebuild, the addition of a pitcher like Rodón—who was coming off a career year but still had question marks—wasn’t a slam-dunk. While Rodón’s potential was clear, the Red Sox front office might have been cautious, opting to use their financial resources in a more balanced way, securing talent across multiple areas rather than making a splash move that could hinder their long-term flexibility.
Why the Red Sox Dodged a Bullet with Rodón
Rodón’s Injury Woes in 2023
While the Yankees initially celebrated their acquisition of Rodón, the 2023 season has not gone according to plan. Injuries quickly derailed the left-hander’s debut year with the Yankees. After a spring training injury delayed his season debut, Rodón struggled with elbow and back issues that kept him off the mound for much of the season. Even when he did take the field, Rodón was not the same pitcher he had been in 2022. His fastball velocity dropped, and his control was inconsistent, leading to struggles in the Yankees’ rotation.
Rodón’s injury concerns have only amplified the potential risks of committing to such a massive deal. When healthy, Rodón has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball. But with the injuries that have limited him in 2023, it’s clear that his durability is a major question mark. For the Red Sox, who already had concerns about the health of Sale and Paxton, adding another injury-prone pitcher to their roster would have only increased the risk.
Rodón’s Underperformance in 2023
In addition to his injury struggles, Rodón’s performance when he did pitch was not up to the standard expected of a pitcher with a $162 million contract. In his limited starts, Rodón posted a 6.29 ERA over 14 starts, striking out just 9.7 batters per nine innings, a drop from his career norms. While small sample sizes are always difficult to assess fully, these struggles are particularly concerning given his contract and the expectations placed on him.
For the Red Sox, having invested heavily in a player who would have been expected to be an ace, seeing Rodón struggle with his health and performance would have been devastating. The Red Sox could have been left with a large financial commitment to a pitcher who was no longer living up to the expectations that come with a massive free-agent contract.
The Financial Flexibility Advantage
By avoiding the Rodón contract, the Red Sox have maintained greater financial flexibility to address other needs. The team has been able to focus on upgrading multiple areas of their roster, such as bolstering their offense and continuing to develop younger pitching prospects. The money saved by not signing Rodón could be used more effectively in the future, whether that means locking up homegrown players like Devers or making a more targeted investment in other areas.
In a division that is perennially competitive, the Red Sox need to remain adaptable in how they spend their money. By avoiding a potentially disastrous long-term commitment, they’ve allowed themselves to keep their options open, both for free-agent acquisitions and trade possibilities in the future.
Conclusion: The Red Sox’s Smart Decision
Looking back, it’s clear that the Red Sox dodged a major bullet by not committing to Carlos Rodón. While the idea of adding an elite starting pitcher was appealing, the financial commitment and injury concerns associated with Rodón made him a risky investment. With his struggles in 2023, including injuries and underperformance, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the Red Sox’s decision to pass on Rodón was the right one.
The team remains focused on building for the future, and by maintaining financial flexibility, they are in a better position to address their needs in a more balanced and sustainable manner. While the Yankees may have taken a gamble on Rodón, it’s clear that the Red Sox avoided a costly misstep—one that could have had long-lasting consequences for their future.
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