Pitcher Carlos Rodon throws during the first inning in the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, September 29, 2022. /CFP
The New York Yankees reached an agreement with free agent left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon on a six-year, $162 million contract, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on Thursday.
Having finished his first season in the San Francisco Giants – and his eighth season in the MLB – in 2022, Rodon reached career high in game starts (31), innings (178) and wins (14-8) with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.88. He was named an All-Star for the second straight season.
Rodon made his major league debut in 2015 in the Chicago White Sox after he was drafted by the team with the third-overall pick in 2014. Though he made his All-Star debut in 2021 after producing a 13-5 record with an ERA of 2.37 in 24 starting games, the White Sox decided not to extend his contract during the 2021 offseason.
After that, Rodon signed a two-year, $44 million contract with the Giants and he had an opt-out, which he exercised in November to become a free agent.
Pitcher Carlos Rodon throws during the sixth inning in the game against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California, September 29, 2022. /CFP
The Yankees will add Rodon to their pitching rotation that already includes Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas. The team finished then 2022 regular season with a 99-63 record and led the American League (AL) East. They beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-2 in the AL Division Series but were swept by the Houston Astros in the AL Championship Series.
Rodon's contract is the second-largest deal in total value the Yankees have ever given to a pitcher, behind only the nine-year, $324 million contract signed with Cole in 2019. The team also welcomed back historic slugger Aaron Judge with a blockbuster nine-year, $360 million deal.
Rodon will face his former teammates when the Yankees host the Giants on the 2023 season opening day on March 30, 2023.