Yankees sign Carlos Rodon to land another free agency prize: Sources

The New York Yankees are signing free-agent pitcher Carlos Rodon, landing the best pitcher left on the market in the Bronx. 

Star left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon and the New York Yankees are in agreement on a contract, according to sources familiar with the deal.

After signing Aaron Judge, the Yankees prioritized Rodon. The two sides have been in conversations recently, though there was a sizable gap from his reported seven-year, $200+ million ask. But the two sides have remained engaged in talks and were able to finalize a deal late Thursday night.

Yankees sign Carlos Rodon for another ace in New York’s rotation

For New York, it gives them another frontline starting pitcher to pair with Gerrit Cole. Rodon, 30, has arguably become the best left-handed starting pitcher in baseball over the last two seasons.

In 2021, he posted a 2.37 ERA and 185 strikeouts in 132.2 innings. In 2022, after signing a two-year, $44 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, he posted a 2.88 ERA and 237 strikeouts in 178 innings.

With Rodon, the Yanks’ rotation now features Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino and Frankie Montas. Jameson Taillon, who was a key part of their 2022 rotation, signed with the Chicago Cubs earlier this offseason.

With Rodon signed, the Yanks are now likely to turn their attention toward upgrading the offense. Even with Judge signed, general manager Brian Cashman could add another outfielder, with free-agent Andrew Benintendi being among the options.