Braves: 3 trade deadline targets from surprise sellers
By Tim Boyle
2) Potential Braves trade deadline target: Buying big with Carlos Rodon
A teammate of Pederson’s in San Francisco, Carlos Rodon might be one of the better pitchers available at the trade deadline if the Giants continue to struggle. It’s clear they cannot compete for the National League West. If a wild card berth begins to slip, selling him now could help them better their farm system and allow them to take a step back before possibly leaping forward next year.
The Giants have been a strange team over the last two years. They were so good in 2021 even without an abundance of superstar players. This year got off to a fine start but the law of averages seems to have caught up with them.
Rodon has been quite exception for them. He’s on an interesting contract with a $21.5 million payday this season and a total of $22.5 million guaranteed for next season unless he chooses to opt out. The opt out in his contract is available if he reaches 110 innings pitched in 2022. He should get there very soon barring an injury.
And if he continues to pitch well, he’d be wise to flex the option to test free agency again. A left-handed starting pitcher with two straight productive years will get paid well.
As far as the Braves should care, he’s just a guy they can roll with for the last few months and even into the postseason. If health is a concern for their starters like Mike Soroka, they can’t do much better than Rodon.