Rodón in strong position after career year

CHICAGO -- Carlos Rodón’s 2021 performance shouldn’t be considered a breakout season as much as a fulfillment of the immense potential seen for the left-hander when the White Sox selected him third overall in the 2014 MLB Draft.

Will Rodón’s most dominant season in Chicago also be his last season with the White Sox?

That answer begins with the team’s decision to make the free agent a qualifying offer, a topic general manager Rick Hahn didn’t want to address directly during his 45-minute media session Friday.

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“That’s due on Sunday. So we don’t have anything to announce about that at this time,” Hahn said via Zoom. “As a free agent, there’s only so much I’m allowed to say, but I can certainly praise how fantastic he was for us over the bulk of the season and that it would be great to figure out a way to bring him back in some capacity.

“Obviously this isn’t our first foray into free agency with Carlos. We had a similar situation, at least in terms of his rights, last offseason, when we had an interest in bringing him back and were able to work it out then, as well. We’ll see how the market unfolds. He’s coming from a much better position, which we all benefitted from over the course of the ’21 season.”

At age 28, Rodón enters free agency following a 13-5 performance with a 2.37 ERA over 24 starts and 132 2/3 innings. He fanned 185 against 36 walks and allowed 91 hits. Rodón threw a no-hitter against the Indians on April 14 (and came within two outs of a perfect game).

The first-time All-Star was non-tendered last December but returned in February on a $3 million deal.

Rodón experienced shoulder soreness and fatigue during the season’s second half, not working above 90 pitches or five innings after July 18. That could be a by-product of Rodón’s innings total jumping from 42 1/3 combined over the previous two seasons, but the veteran also has dealt with Tommy John surgery and shoulder surgery in the past.

The White Sox have until 4 p.m. CT on Sunday to make a qualifying offer, which is valued at $18.4 million this year. Rodón and other free agents receiving the offer have until 4 p.m. CT on Nov. 17 to accept or reject the offer. If Rodón receives the qualifying offer, rejects it and signs elsewhere, the White Sox will receive a compensatory Draft pick.

Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn and Dylan Cease appear set in the 2022 White Sox rotation. Michael Kopech will move from the bullpen to the starting five, as discussed by Hahn on Friday. Also, the White Sox have contractual control over left-hander Dallas Keuchel, who struggled throughout 2021 after being a Cy Young contender during the abbreviated ’20 season, his first in Chicago.

Finding a place for Rodón certainly would not be a tough call, based solely on his sheer talent, overall performance and fit with his teammates on the American League Central champions. The White Sox have to decide on any sort of commitment to make, while Rodón would look at playing for the only team he has ever known vs. exploring the open market.

“On a personal level, it was great to see a kid who had been through a lot and had a lot of adversity fulfill the promise our scouts and player development all saw from him back when we drafted him out of N.C. State,” Hahn said. “From that standpoint, it’s a bittersweet day. He met that potential. Now, obviously, he has the benefit of exploring his free-agent options.”

Rodón spoke of his White Sox journey after he started Game 4 of the Division Series against the Astros.

“It's been an interesting road for me, and just to have the opportunity to pitch an important game, it meant a lot,” Rodón said. “So thank you, White Sox fans, and thank you to the organization.”