MLB Insider: Why the Cardinals are unlikely to sign Carlos Rodon

After signing catcher Willson Contreras to a five-year, $87.5 million contract, the St. Louis Cardinals are looking for pitching, but not Carlos Rodon.

One name the Cards have been linked to in recent days is star left-hander Carlos Rodon, who is the consensus top pitcher available on the free-agent market.

But a deal that would send Rodon to St. Louis is considered unlikely.

“In terms of making a big splash,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said, “I wouldn’t believe the rumors you’re reading right now.”

Rodon, 30, is almost certainly out of the Cardinals’ price range. The expectation in league circles is that he will eventually sign a contract for seven years and in the $200 million range. While his recent performance warrants such a deal — he posted a 2.88 ERA and 237 strikeouts in 188 innings last season — his extensive previous injury history could worry some teams.

Why the Cardinals won’t sign Carlos Rodon

Of course, Rodon has stayed healthy the past two seasons. He’s accumulated 55 starts and been arguably the best left-handed starting pitcher in baseball.

Among the teams interested in Rodon includes the New York Yankees, according to sources, who would pair him with Gerrit Cole atop their rotation. They have been preparing an offer, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, with an offer expected late Monday night or possibly Tuesday. The Giants, Rodon’s team in 2022, are likely out after signing Sean Manaea and Ross Stripling to two-year, $25 million contracts.

With Rodon likely headed elsewhere, the Cardinals could explore numerous possibilities on the free-agent market. Those options include Michael Wacha, who was previously in St. Louis. Top right-hander Nathan Eovaldi remains unsigned. Other players available are Corey Kluber, Noah Syndergaard and Jordan Lyles, among others.

Just don’t expect Rodon to sign in St. Louis. While the Cardinals have the need, the price has always made a potential pairing incredibly unlikely.