Carlos Rodón, the superstar left-handed starter, officially exercised the opt-out clause in his contract.
The Giants announced Rodón’s procedural decision, which was all but a foregone conclusion. Rodón, as the Giants expected, will be a free agent.
San Francisco signed Rodón, 29, to a two-year, $44 million deal last winter. The contract included an opt-out clause for the 2023 season. The structure of the contract allowed the oft-injured Rodón to prove he can stay on the field and perform for a season.
Rodón never hit the injured list, going 14-8 in 31 starts and recording a 2.88 ERA. The All-Star led MLB in FIP (2.25) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.0). He tossed 10 double-digit strikeout games, breaking Tim Lincecum’s franchise record.
“In many ways, he’s come as advertised,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said after Rodón’s final 2022 start. “The reports on Carlos when we first got him were: this is a guy that, when he’s on the bump, is as good as anyone in the league. Is as electric as anyone in the league. Can do things that most can’t. And that’s really what’s happened.”
In 15 starts at Oracle Park, Rodón went 8-2 with a 1.93 ERA.
“I’ve always enjoyed pitching here,” Rodón said after his last start of the year at Oracle Park. “It’s definitely a home-field advantage when I show up and pitch at this park.”
Since Rodón performed so well in 2022, he’ll likely earn a long-term contract — potentially in the nine figures.
The Giants’ front office under Farhan Zaidi has avoided the types of deals for starting pitchers that competitors will likely offer Rodón. The biggest deal for a starter Zaidi has cut was Anthony DeSclafani’s three-year, $36 million pact.
That means unless Zaidi bucks precedent, Rodón will be pitching elsewhere next year and beyond. There is a strong class of free agent starters, highlighted by Justin Verlander and Jacob deGrom, that SF could tap into.
The Giants could still offer Rodón the qualifying offer, which he would reject but would also attach draft pick compensation to him if he leaves.
Brandon Belt, Joc Pederson, José Álvarez, Shelby Miller, and Scott Alexander also became free agents. They and Rodón can negotiate with the Giants until the official free agency period begins on Thursday, Nov. 10.
