It’s foolish to sign a pitcher to a long-term contract of more than five years.
Pitchers can’t throw the ball properly if they have pain in any part of their body, not just their shoulders and elbows, but also their back, thighs, and sides. A batter can swing a bat with a blistered elbow or finger and not have a problem with it, which means pitchers are more susceptible to injury than batters. Because of this, it’s important to take a closer look at the medicals when signing a pitcher to a long-term contract.
Last winter, the New York Yankees signed free agent left-hander Carlos Rodon to a six-year deal. They guaranteed him a whopping $162 million. At the time, Yankees fans were excited to get a second starter to form a one-two punch with Gerrit Cole. Agent Scott Boras reportedly used the Yankees as leverage, bringing multiple teams to the table at the same time, including the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Boston Red Sox, to drive up the price. The Yankees were the highest bidder.
However, the Yankees apparently didn’t scrutinize Rodon’s medicals closely enough.
온라인바카라 Rodon has been on the disabled list (IL) three times in three years, starting with a left shoulder injury in September 2020 during the shortened season. After throwing 165 innings in 2016, his second year in the big leagues, he didn’t reach regulated innings for five straight years until 2021. He pitched 178 innings in 31 games last year, finally earning top-tier “free agent” status. He proved his worth by leading the league in both FIP (2.25) and strikeouts per nine innings (12.0) last year.
He maximized his value ahead of free agency. But that was it, and it was the last. This year, he started the season on the IL. In an exhibition game, he felt tightness in his left arm and stopped pitching, and instead of a month, he spent over three months rehabbing until early July.
Carlos Rodon returned in early July and has a 6.60 ERA in 10 starts. USATODAYYahoo!
He hasn’t pitched well since his return. Rodon started a home game against the Detroit Tigers on Aug. 8 at Yankee Stadium and gave up seven runs on eight hits in 3⅔ innings. The Yankees lost 3-10.
Rodon finished the season with a record of 2-5, 6.60 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and a .250 batting average in 46 1/3 innings in 10 games. He had one quality start. It came on March 23 against the NL-worst Washington Nationals, allowing one run on six hits in six innings.
It’s safe to say that the Yankees’ rotation has been carried by Cole alone in Rodon’s absence. Ironically, Cole is the favorite to win his first Cy Young Award this season. It’s an odd position to be in when your team is in a downward spiral and your ace is pitching the best in the league.
The Yankees are 70-70 as of today, barely within a half-game of a winning record. However, they are in last place in the powerhouse AL East. They are two games behind the fourth-place Boston Red Sox. Last place is a possibility for the first time in 33 years. Aaron Judge’s two-month absence with a toe injury and Rodon’s three-month absence with a toe injury are among the reasons for the Yankees’ downfall.
Rodon is scheduled to make $22.83 million this season. He’s due $27.83 million every year for five years from next year through 2028. For the Yankees, much of that money could be sunk costs.
Stephen Strasburg of the Washington Nationals. AP
The Washington Nationals have reportedly canceled plans for Stephen Strasburg’s retirement ceremony today. Strasburg abruptly announced his retirement last month. The team had planned to hold a retirement press conference at Nationals Park on Oct. 10, followed by a retirement ceremony next year.
“The Nats informed Strasburg and his agent, Scott Boras, that they were canceling the retirement ceremony without providing any explanation,” USA Today reported. “The original plan was for Strasburg to retire with seven years and $245 million remaining on his contract, with the remaining $150 million spread out through 2029, but the team unilaterally canceled the ceremony without giving a reason.
It’s not uncommon for players and organizations to have conflicts when they’re about to retire.
Regardless of how Strasburg retires, the Nats would still have to pay him all of his remaining salary. In that case, Strasburg would have pitched just eight games under contract and walked away with $245 million. It’s the worst free agent signing of all time.
No matter how bad Rodon is, he might be better than Strasburg.