(670 The Score) The White Sox have declined to extend a qualifying offer to left-hander Carlos Rodon, making him a free agent.
The qualifying offer is a one-year, $18.4-million contract. Had the White Sox extended the offer, Rodon could’ve accepted it or rejected it himself. Had he declined it and then signed with another team, the White Sox would’ve received draft pick compensation upon him leaving.
Rodon, who will turn 29 in December, had a career year in 2021, going 13-5 with a 2.37 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 132 2/3 innings across 24 starts while earning All-Star honors for the first time. He also struck out 12.6 batters per nine innings.
Rodon’s season ended on a sour note, as he battled shoulder fatigue in the second half, which limited his workload. He went 2 2/3 innings and took the loss in the White Sox’s 10-1 season-ending setback to the Astros in Game 4 of their American League Division Series.
The White Sox would like to bring Rodon back under a differently structured contract, but he figures to draw plenty of interest in free agency.
“It would be great to figure out a way to bring him back in some capacity,” general manager Rick Hahn said Friday while calling Rodon’s season “fantastic.”
Rodon has a 3.79 ERA in seven MLB seasons. His career has been marked by elbow and shoulder issues since the White Sox selected him at No. 3 overall in the 2014 MLB amateur draft.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.