The White Sox made the somewhat surprising decision to not issue an $18.4MM qualifying offer to left-hander Carlos Rodón before this past Sunday’s deadline. That allowed Rodón to hit the open market unencumbered by draft pick forfeiture, and the Sox won’t receive any compensation if the All-Star signs elsewhere.
Rodón’s agent Scott Boras jokingly thanked the organization for not making a QO while speaking with reporters (including James Fegan of the Athletic) this afternoon. Boras flatly stated that they’d have declined a QO had it been made. Moreover, he seemed to shoot down the notion of Rodón signing a one-year deal with Chicago or anyone else this winter.
“Obviously, we’re pursuing a multi-year contract and weren’t going to sign a one-year contract,” Boras said. There’d been some thought Rodón could look to maximize his 2022 earnings on a one-year pact, hope to back up his stellar 2021 showing with another great season, then set out in search of nine figures next winter. It doesn’t seem that’s the course of action Rodón will take, at least not at the outset of the offseason.
A longer-term deal is certainly a justifiable goal. On an inning for inning basis, Rodón was one of the best pitchers in baseball this past season. He tossed 132 2/3 frames of 2.37 ERA ball, ranking second among the 129 hurlers with 100+ innings pitched. He also ranked second in strikeout rate (34.6%), third in strikeout/walk rate differential (27.9 percentage points), fourth in SIERA (2.96) and seventh in swinging strike percentage (15%).
The potential holdup on Rodón hasn’t been effectiveness, but health. He was limited to just 42 1/3 innings between 2019-20 because of injuries. After staying healthy for much of the 2021 campaign, Rodón wound up on the injured list with shoulder discomfort and missed a few weeks in August.
He continued to be very effective upon his return, but his fastball and slider velocity both dropped a couple ticks down the stretch. It’s plausible Rodón deliberately backed off the throttle in preparation for the playoffs, as the Sox had all but wrapped up the AL Central title by the end of July. His fastball velocity, at least, did bounce back during his lone postseason appearance. That outing lasted just 2 2/3 innings, though, and his slider remained in its late-season 84 MPH area rather than its usual 85-87 MPH range from May through July. The White Sox were eliminated by the Astros before Rodón had an opportunity to make another start.
Teams’ evaluations of Rodón’s shoulder figure to be critical to determining his eventual market power. Unsurprisingly, Boras told reporters that the 28-year-old (29 in December) is fully healthy. If team medical staffs agree, then Rodón looks likely to receive strong multi-year offers, since he’s one of a small group of free agent hurlers who has shown himself capable of putting up ace-like numbers at his best.
White Sox need to take hard pass.
No faith he can stay healthy for a year, and has never had back-to-back healthy seasons since after rookie year.
I believe they already took a hard pass.
They didn’t offer him a qualifying offer, but expressed an interest in resigning.
This is what happened last year after he was non-tendered.
So he could still be in plans. But he shouldn’t be.
Unless Boras is lying (which wouldn’t be uncommon) about Rodon turning down the QO this is proof the ChiSox made a mistake by not offering Rodon the QO. That was very puzzling. How do they believe Kimbrel is worth $16M but Rodon isn’t worth $18.4M? All the White Sox accomplished by declining to offer a QO was give away the draft pick compensation they would have received. GMs are supposed to do whatever is best for their team. A free first or second round pick is always a good thing for any team. If the player is going to reject the QO every single team should offer it to them every single time.
Unless Boras is lying. Therein lies the rub
You did apply for Mets’ GM position, right?
@DDTheo: You’re exactly right. Someone was asking why so many people hated Boras for being good at his job yesterday. The lies are the reason. There’s nothing wrong with making money, earning money for your clients or being good at your craft. Using your job title as an excuse to lie through your teeth is too much though. Boras doesn’t act like an agent. He acts like a defense attorney. He is willing to knowingly lie about anything if it makes more money. Some people might respect that. I find it to be a serious lack of integrity. Plenty of agents make tons of money for their clients by telling the truth. Boras lies because he cares most about making money for himself and not his clients. It may not be illegal but that doesn’t mean I have to respect him as a person for it.
Thanks for the Boras tangent.
But even the guys here at MLBTR had projected Rodon for over 20MM on a 1 year deal.
My bet is that he’s not lying at all.
The White Sox know Rodon’s health better than any other team. The fact that they did not offer him a qualifying offer could be a strategic move on their part in that it could cause fear, uncertainty, and doubt regarding Rodon’s health amongst his potential suitors.
Why risk of paying him $18.4 million if they are not guaranteed a full season out of him?
This may actually help bring his price down and allow them to resign him.
@JohhnyBets67: I wasn’t suggesting Boras was lying in this instance. My original post was about how the White Sox made a mistake by not offering the QO. They were basically giving away high draft picks by refusing to do so. He has lied in the past though so I was just agreeing that Dumpster Divine Theo had a good point. It sounds like Rodon would have declined based on his agents comment but when that agent is Scott Boras you still never know if he’s being honest. I still think the White Sox should have offered it. The worst case scenario is Boras lied and they have Rodon for 1 more season at a salary that isn’t outrageous. The most likely scenario is the White Sox don’t have to pay Rodon anything and still get a free upper round draft pick. It was worth the risk. Much more worth it than paying Kimbrel $16M when they are already talking about trading him.
The white Sox might not have the payroll to sign a 20 million dollar pitcher and fill other positions of need. It’s pretty insane they wouldn’t offer him a qualifying offer and get a draft pick to try to save a couple million dollars, maybe. Someone will give a multi year contract or a sizable one year.
There is nothing puzzling about not offering 18 million to a pitcher has has never stayed healthy since his rookie season, and who was pretty much cooked this year after the All-star break.
Bringing back Kimbrel was not wise, but at least he stays healthy. Best abilities availability, and that is a quality Rodon lacks
With Kimbrel they could trade him and get something in return by re-signing. The risk with signing Rodon is that the health doesn’t hold up, losing all trade capital and eating the cost of the contract.
I see or hear the name Boras and want nothing to do with his client or sales pitch.
How do you know ck his nose daly
I agree. The trend now is for starters to pitch fewer and fewer innings, and to sign a multi-year deal with a pitcher with a checkered history would be folly. He could easily wind up pitching fewer innings than a bullpen stalwart and yet get 3 or 4 times the money. Take the hard pass.
Insensitive laden deal for 1 year only. He has a TERRIBLE injury history, but sure was great in 2021… when he was healthy.
Nothing like the insensitive laden contract to bring a guy down. If you can’t pitch 100 innings it’s because you stink. If you give up more than 10 home runs you’re worse than a little leaguer.
😉
If you could give up less than 10 homers in 100+ innings I’d applaud you in this hitting atmosphere
Given his history of arm problems, a multi -year deal seems like a bad bet for any team to make, unless it isn’t guaranteed and is loaded with incentives.
He should get a one-year no problem.
Lol
Why would Scott Boras lie?
I wouldn’t mind Rondon coming to NY and wear the uniform with the original Pinstripes
I’m sure Hector Rondon would like a spot with the Yankees after not playing in 2021. However, I think you meant to say Rodon
Nothing like trying to pitch your team to a guy and spelling his name wrong.
Jah if this was GM he’d end up with the wrong guy
Bruce Rondon just booked his flight. Have fun with that.
I’m sorry for your spelling error
No knock on Boras. But teams filling a hole, can’t be left out in the cold hoping he signs with them.
Why would Rodon go to NY when the original pinstripe uniforms are on the North Side of Chicago, where they’ll spell his name right?
Yankees weren’t even the first team in the American League to wear pinstripes, let alone the original Pinstrips.
The Cubs – 1907, Braves – 1907, Giants – 1911, Dodgers – 1909 and White Sox – 1911 all wore pinstripes first.
That, coupled with misspelling Rodon’s name… You should probably learn more about what you’re commenting on next time.
I am too, seeking a multi year deal. My agent is not Boras, but his name is Martin and can cook up a mean meatloaf if given the opportunity
Lol
But is your shoulder healthy?
“my arm feels like jello right now”
-Rick Vaughn
There are some desperate teams out there looking for pitching. I’d say the Angels will pony up 3 years $45-50M.
Doubt he gets 3 years. I wouldn’t go beyond 2 with a team option on a 3rd. That said, I think he does a little better than a $15M AAV.
I’d do this tomorrow for the Angels, need 3 SPs anyways, this seems like a reasonable risk.
3-45 seems like a reasonable contract. When healthy he was the white Sox best pitcher. That’s not going to handcuff a large market team.
Weird how they never say they’re looking for a one year deal at the league minimum.
I like Rodón, but why deal with Boras?
Teams cannot delay building their team. If Rodón won’t sign until February, teams have to move on.
You don’t want to be the team unable to fill a void waiting for this guy.
Boras is just good as job. I dont for the life of me see why any fan would dislike him.
Angels gonna sign E-Rod and Sherzer.
Listen to Boras’s comments on Baseball Tonight at last year’s Winter Meetings about improving baseball and you will understand why.
If I had been blessed with the skills and the potential opportunities these MLB players have, the first person I’d call to be my agent is Scott Boras.
Rob, not disagreeing, but teams can’t wait till February trying to fill a void. All the other guys you want won’t be there.
Rodon will get paid, but it won’t be anytime soon.
He might end up screwing you too. He has overplayed his hand before and ended up getting the player a last minute offer that was quite a bit less than the ones turned down.
Scherzer wants to win, so the Angels are out.
Boras is good as Job? Meaning exhibits maximum patience and forbearance while a parade of horribles rains down on his head?
I would be surprised if any of the big FA sign until there is some resolution to the CBA. The lower level FA will probably want to sign before the lock out(I just don’t see any way it will be avoided).
Ryu signed with the Jays in December!
Love Rodon and would love to see him stay in Chicago, but in reality his arm isn’t dependable and under no circumstance would I give him more than a year, but I’m not the one making those calls
His arm is fine. It’s his shoulder that we need to worry about.
Technically, if his shoulder is bad, his arm won’t be reliable… Just saying
The armbone? Connected to the shoulder bone?
“The shoulder bone is connected to the dongbone.” -Ali G
I’d like all players to be one one year contracts. The feeding frenzy and chaos would be what baseball deserves.
Charles O. Finley had that opinion. History proved him correct.
This dudes arm is going to fall off as soon as he signs a contract
Angels this is your cue!
Red Sox Off-season
1) Sign Rondon 3/60
2) Sign Rizzo 2/30
3) Sign Jose Iglesias 1/5 (bench)
4) Acquire Ketel Marte for Verdugo, Dalbec, and Gilberto Jimenez
5) Resign E-rod
Lineup will be strong enough to allow Duran to develop hitting ninth
1) Kike CF
2) Marte 2b
3) Xander SS
4) Devers 3b
5) JD DH
6) Renfroe RF
7) Rizzo 1b
8) Vazquez C
9) Duran CF
You’re starting two centerfielders there. Is this some kind of new aged sabermetric shift?
@don- Rizzo has it covered.
I would be shocked if Rodon gets 3/60. 3/45 is much more likely and I just don’t know how many teams will be comfortable giving him that 3rd year anyways.
But Rondon may get 3/60
Lol
3/60 seems a big steep for Hector Rondon. Bruce, on the other hand . . .
I think 3/60 means you get all 3 Rondons for 60. Hector, Bruce, Jose..
No one should believe Boras and medical reports. See Rocker, Kumar as exhibit: A
Rather sign Harold. Much more dependable in re deadlines.
Ultimate risk/reward guy. If you sign him to a 3/50ish deal and he stays healthy and continues his upward trajectory, he’ll be a steal. More than likely though he’s gonna be injured and regress.
“I would sooner let a rattlesnake in a nursery.” ( George Raft). Better that then trusting Scott Boras.
Yeah, you notice how in the offseason everyone “feels better than I ever have.” They claim they’re 100% and get injured when they start pitching games, ie, Tallion, Big Maple, Kluber, Angels’ rotation, RODON, Kershaw, and on, and on, and on.
Rodon on more than a one-year deal is too risky. If it happens, it should be heavily incentive-laden based on # of starts & innings.
Anyone who gives him more than 2 years is a fool. Even 2 years might be stretching it.
I would not sign him. Of course, there is always a foolish team out there ( Dodgers and Heaney is the most recent example).
Yeah but even that move has little risk. It’s these long deals for guys with extensive injury histories that can really screw you over.
Hey Dombrowski…are you listening…multi year deal for Rodon. Get on that!
The only way to deal with Boras is straight up and do not tolerate his BS. That is how the Yankees landed Cole. They told Boras to have Cole’s ass in your office tomorrow or we have no interest in signing him. Obviously he listened.
Prayers and thoughts to the team that signs him for more than 2 years.
Fans don’t like Boras because he often gets the players a much better deal than what the player is worth. The players he represents more often underperform or miss long stretches. That being said, he’s great at what he does. I heard he takes little compensation for his services. He would be the agent that I would look at if I was an MLB player. I think it’s widely speculated that a team would offer 2-3 years 15MM/year with vesting options easily. If he stays healthy, it’s a good chance that he can create a surplus in value for the team. The health is the big “IF”. I see a team like the Dodgers, Yankees, Red Sox (basically any high payroll team easily meeting that price). So, the mid to low market teams that want him will need to tack another year or even more salary per year.
I do not see the Yankees or Dodgers signing Rodon. Why? The Dodgers signed Heaney ( WTF was that) plus Scherzer and Kershaw are still better options then him. The Yankees problem was not pitching. It was hitting ( except Judge and Stanton ( although I expect a bounce back year from Torres)). It will be either Seager or Correa and maybe a return by Rizzo.
Boras is worth $450 and is the highest paid person in baseball every year (by a long shot). He takes a 5% commission on all contracts.
Rodon signing with the Mariners? Money to burn. 3-4 year deal but 10% more than other competitors. Obviously the big concern is health.
Even though there’s a ton of free agent pitchers coming off of really good season, I really only think Scherzer is the only one you can feel confident giving a multi year deal to. Rodon, Ray, Kershaw, Gausman, etc. all have the potential to be great additions long term for teams but it doesn’t take too far of a look back to think all could end up being land mines.
Unless the Angels make an insane offer, Scherzer is likely headed back to the Dodgers. Why? There are few teams that can afford him and he wants no part of New York ( Yankees or Mets) or Boston ( remember where he wanted to go at the trading deadline).
I’d definitely take a high-average, one-year deal. A multi-year deal is more challenging. Every year should lower his AAV significantly. Shorter risk equals higher AAV. Longer risk equals lower AAV.
Most likely signing places for Rodon. 1: Angels. 2: Mets. 3: Phillies. Why? Look for teams that are a: Desperate for pitching. b: Can afford Boras price.
He has Angels desperation move written all over him.
Pull the string on your Scott Boris doll every winter and it says the same thing.
Here’s how I look at Rodon: He pitched 2/3 of a season at almost exactly the same ERA+ and FIP numbers as Cole had in his contract year. If Cole is worth $35M for replicating that year, it stands to reason Rodon was worth around $23.7M this year, despite not pitching much the last two months. Obviously, there’s more injury risk there, which hinders the value, but if 2/3 of a season is worth this much, he ought to get at least $17M AAV. My guess is 2/$38-40, provided there are no underlying injuries and last season’s end was just due to fatigue from never having to pitch that much.
That’s silly. Yanks paid top dollar. Now, the market is different. There are not endless possibilities for $30M contracts.
How you people calculate the market is not based on reality.
29 teams could not, would not pay the same.moneynto Cole as the Yankees did.
Cashman was the winner, high bid, so now, only the second tier exists.
This very site predicts Scherzer to eclipse Cole’s AAV. Bauer did as well. It may be silly to you what guys get paid, but it is the free market and AAV’s tend to be higher on shorter deals.
The Dodgers and ( especially) the Angels would. In fact, Moreno ( Angels owner) even said he ( Cole) simply wanted to go to New York.
Angels please move on from him or any other pitcher with a history with arm issues. Sadly he is a typical target for them.
I think there will be a few teams that will offer him 2 years. Maybe someone throws an option in there that kicks in if he pitches x number of innings over the 2 years and he signs there. He is going to get 4-5 years.
I know his injury issue but I don’t think he is a bad investment for 2 years. He pitched at a very high level all year, has power stuff, etc.
He is NOT going to get 4 or 5 years…typo
“Budgets are a human design rather than a physical barrier” – Scott Boras
Keep in mind this is the same agent that got Shin Soo Choo 7 Years and $130 at the age of 31..
He’ll find some sucker to give Rodon 3 or 4 years.
It’s BORAS, the Dolenz unit, and he’s just trying to be friendly.
Rodon can’t get much based on his career numbers, but he did man up for his contract season. Pretty typical BS on behalf of MLB players. He’ll cash in and return to mediocracy. For whomever signs him, buyer beware.
I could easily envision Carlos Rodon landing a free agent deal with the White Sox or Cubs. I could also see FA Kyle Schwarber landing with either team. How ironic would it be if Rodon signed with the Cubs while Schwarber inked a deal with the White Sox since they went back-to-back in the first round of the 2014 MLB June Amateur Draft. Rodon was picked #3 overall by the White Sox with Schwarber selected by the Cubs with the next pick at #4.
Aaron- Cubs not paying Schwarber – not gonna happen. Cubs will not hand out multi year deals this off-season. White Sox already have two defensively challenged corner outfielders (Eloy/Vaughn) and have LH DH in Sheets. White Sox will spend on rotation/pen. Rodon not getting paid on the North side either. Cubs will load up with cheap one year deals of players looking to rebound and hope to flip some at deadline. Only way Rodon lands back with White Sox is late a off-season deal for one year with a second being guaranteed after an innings clause is reached. White Sox would have to pay at least 20 million a year.
This RJ Narvick guy is good. And no, I’m not an RJ Barvick alias.
Is that Dan Le Batard?
I love watching Scott Boras work.
Truth be told, he belongs in the HOF. Seriously. The man has been a baseball players agent for almost 40 years. In that time he’s almost always been the top one. That’s an amazing record. No sports agent (or firm) anywhere in the world comes near his track record. A handful of this clients got stiffed holding out too long, but the majority did fantastic. Years ago he spoke about MLB being a 12 month season for fans – having shows for announcing yearly awards, All-Star voting results and the like. MLB was the worst marketed professional team sport in America – he pushed them into expanding their reach to casual sports fans.
–
Say what you will, but we seldom hear of a Boras client that comports himself poorly. If there’s a problem between the player and his team Boras seems to quickly handle that off-line, and holds off any negative publicity that could fall on either side from developing. He holds his players to a high standard of being prepared and in shape physically (years ago he had had a facility which his clients could use to work out in, rehab injuries, sand speak with nutritionists and sports psychiatrists).
Most notably he stuck up for Strasberg in 2012, holding him off from pitching in the playoffs. Considering the physical problems Strasberg has had since (including last year…again…) it’s quite possible that Boras saved the young mans career – let alone having gotten him additional hundreds of millions of dollars.
On the flip side, Boras has cost GM’s their jobs and forced at least one owner to sell his franchise after giving his client an outrageous contract. And of course, a good number of MLB teams will not deal with him at all, while another handful only will for one year make-good contracts.
I only wish that man could have negotiated contracts for me in the business I was it.
Don’t forget, $7 hotdogs.
If he was confident in himself to stay healthy he would take a one year deal. A completed season with his level of production = 5 years 150.
Currently he’s looking at 3 years 51-55 if I had to guess. Nobody is gonna hamstring themselves for a guy who’s never shown he can stay healthy.
Think 3-60. Smart teams will insist on an innings clause to vest the last two season.
I honestly think the new deals should never go beyond 5 years! The 8-10 year deals are ridiculous unless your 25 or younger ( Soto, Acuna etc…) Correa, Story at 5 years $140-180 is reasonable
It’s too bad the MLBPA can’t fire Tony Clark and hire Scott Boras. It would be too much of a pay cut for Boras, though.
i hope he makes a lot money, but i’m happy that money isn’t coming from the white sox. he was an absolute beast to watch last season, and I hope he enjoys being the ace of Baltimore for the next 3 years.
Right now, the Dark Knight is the ace of ye Olde Baltimore Orioles. #verylowbar
another 1 year wonder. stay clear!
Like that jem Seasons of the Sun. Predicting great things for this Jung buck Terry Jacks.
Rodon had a really special year last season. Good for him and he will cash-in this off season… but it is difficult to imagine someone going 2 or 3 guaranteed years on him, unless they are incentive-laden deals.
Interesting. Sox feel he’s not worth the risk of the QO amount. Whatever team that’s interested in him has got to call the Sox to see what they know that no one else does, unless this is a Boras ‘under the table’ agreement that if you don’t QO him, perhaps they can get a favorable signing with someone else. Just speculating.
That would be illegal
Even I know that.
Too many teams need pitching, and he was pretty good this year, so not offering him a qualifying offer was definitely a mistake. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with a 3-4 year deal in the $15m per range.
I want the mariners to make a four year contract with the first year big money then then following year inning or start incentive based on prior year for the following year with a buy out
Come to Toronto Carlos…. 5yr/130M
Blue Jays fans everywhere ought to be grateful you don’t run the team. That’s not just an overpay in AAV, but a tremendous risk for a guy who has thrown over 140 innings just once in his career.
Maybe White Sox felt the QO would have been accepted and he would be a 18m plus towel boy for the season. This does have Angels written all over it! Probably without vesting options too. SMH
Considering he’s had 1 really good season, 18.4 mill would have been over paying him.
Keuchel will likely head to BP or be traded.
The Sox don’t want an “all RH” starting pitching rotation.
Sox should and likely will keep an open mind and monitor the interest Rodon receives and engage with an appropriate offer.
Unless the Whitesox did not offer Rodon a QO because of their love for him, not doing so still makes no sense KNOWTHING that he would turn it down anyway. It seems as if they just wanted to give him a clean start, an did not want to have him tied down by a prospect. Again, otherwise, this makes no business sense AT ALL because you are also helping SB, which should be a crime. LOL
Unless the Whitesox did not offer Rodon a QO because of their love for him, not doing so still makes no sense KNOWTHING that he would turn it down anyway. It seems as if they just wanted to give him a clean start, an did not want to have him tied down by a prospect. Again, otherwise, this makes no business sense AT ALL because you are also helping SB, which should be a crime. LOL
The business sense it makes is appeasing Boras. Tying compensation to Rodon by offering a QO would cause some teams to not pursue him or use it as a way to reduce their offers. By not QO him Boras can field offers and CWS can kick the tires and see if they are still interested, if not Boras has a stable of other players he may direct the CWS way whether that be Semien, Bryant, Paxson, Conforto, Kikuchi to name a few.
3/$48m Angels. Done.