CARLSBAD, Calif. (670 The Score) -- While White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has mentioned the team would like to bring back All-Star left-hander Carlos Rodon in free agency, indications continue to suggest that won't be the case.
Left-hander Dallas Keuchel’s comments Monday during a media session after he won his fifth Gold Glove were the latest sign.
“Having Carlos this year was a huge bonus for us,” Keuchel said. “It was like a wild-card play where we kind of found that ace of spades in that deck when it was like take your pick. We found it in him. Having had all the injuries he had in his career and seeing what he was able to do was nothing short of amazing. But I think any one of us in the rotation next year can be that guy. But we are really going to need that. We are going to need one or two guys to continue on the pace they have been. Our division is not going to be a walk in the park by any means. It won't be the AL central of three or four years ago. There won't be three of the five teams continuing to be subpar. We are going to have our work cut out for us and be up to the challenge to really, really carry the load.”
The White Sox on Sunday declined to extend a one-year, $18.4-million qualifying offer to Rodon, who was 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 24 starts in 2021. That decision by the White Sox made Rodon a free agent and was a sign that his injury history – Rodon dealt with shoulder fatigue in the second half of this past season – was worrisome for them.
The White Sox plan to move right-hander Michael Kopech from the bullpen to the rotation to join Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease and Keuchel on their starting staff. But because Kopech’s workload will be monitored and with Keuchel coming off a rough season, they'll likely need to add another starting pitcher to their staff.
It just doesn’t seem like that will be Rodon at the price point he’s likely to command.
“The guy works really hard, he does,” Keuchel said of Rodon transforming into an All-Star after being plagued by injuries in his career. “I saw that firsthand, and I saw that when I first got here when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery when I first signed over. I would never say anything bad about anyone who worked that hard and tried so much to succeed and be the best he can. I wish him the best. I watched him go from a guy who didn't know how to pitch to throwing with elite velocity and elite breaking stuff. He even developed a pretty good changeup. Just tells you the capabilities he has."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.