Let’s just preface this by saying we were all wrong. New York Yankees fans were wrong for getting extra loud about signing Carlos Rodón in free agency. The New York Yankees were wrong for falling victim to Scott Boras’ negotiation tactics. Who else was negotiating with Rodón at the number he signed for? Tell us.
In the end, there’s still time for Rodón to rebound. He has four years left on his contract, but at $27 million per year, he has a steep hill to climb to get back in the fanbase’s good graces (especially with all the advocating they did for him two years ago).
But it seems like everyone’s often reminded of how unsavory this contract is. Rodón got six years and $162 million and logged just one season of 30 or more starts. He was an injury problem from 2017-2021. His career year, of course, came right before he hit free agency for the second time. And with all of the other starting pitchers the Yankees have passed on previously, it made fans wonder why this was the deal they ultimately chose, even if the fans were endorsing it.
On Monday, the Yankees were once again reminded of their likely mistake when Yusei Kikuchi signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the LA Angels. That’s a $21 million AAV on a short-term deal for a deceptive left-hander who displayed ace-like qualities during the second half with the Astros.
By no means were we advocating for the Yankees to make this deal, but when you look at Kikuchi’s longevity (32 or more starts in three of his five full MLB seasons, 29 in another) and the fact that you know what you’re getting out of him (a rotation stabilizer who provides length, limits walks and strikes out batters), then you can live with the results. There’s no mystery.
Yankees have to be regretting Carlos Rodón contract after Yusei Kikuchi deal
Part of the problem with Rodón is that the Yankees were paying ace-like money for somebody who only showed that type of ability for 55 out of his 152 starts. Don’t forget, Rodón’s overall struggles and injury woes nearly made him a non-tender candidate back in 2021.
Rodón has it in him, there’s no doubt about that. But the consistency has historically lacked, and it showed during his first two seasons in New York. The 2023 campaign was interrupted by multiple injuries and a couple of meltdowns, while 2024 ended up being a mixed bag that, in the end, wasn’t bad, but left a lot to be desired. Does a No. 2 starter typically finish with a 3.96 ERA, 4.39 FIP and 1.22 WHIP, surrendering 11 earned runs across four playoff outings (three of which were abbreviated)? Is that what you’re paying $27 million for?
Rodón’s deal just represents another imperfect agreement that’s gone wrong for the Yankees in a manner that will keep them from achieving their goals. Think about if just a couple of these were different:
Carlos Rodón – 6 years, $162 million
DJ LeMahieu – 6 years, $90 million
Aaron Hicks – 7 years, $70 million
Marcus Stroman – 3 years, $55 million
Anthony Rizzo – 2 years, $40 million
And we’re not even going to put Giancarlo Stanton’s deal here because we know how badly that’s limited the Yankees. Though his postseason performance should make him impervious to criticism, he’s taken a dive as an everyday contributor from April – September.
Rodón and Kikuchi will now essentially be on the same timeline. Rodón has four years left and will pitch through his age-35 season. Kikuchi’s three-year deal (at $21 million per season) takes him through his age-36 season. We’ll see how it pans out, but we’d definitely feel better about a shorter-term commitment for someone with a reasonably projectable output rather than a long-term deal for a complete wild card.
