SAN DIEGO — While the Yankees’ main priority remains superstar Aaron Judge, they remain in daily contact with Carlos Rodon’s camp, and preferred him as a rotation option all along to Justin Verlander or certainly Jacob deGrom, for two main reasons: 1) he’s younger, and 2) he’s a left-hander for Yankee Stadium.
Word is, the Yankees likely could still fit Rodon into their payroll if Judge returns — although their budget hasn’t been defined to the dollar, as of yet. And he’s the starter that has their attention. “He’s really good,” manager Aaron Boone said Monday.
The issue with Rodon is that his market is expansive as the younger and more affordable ace on the market. Surprise entries Baltimore and Minnesota have joined the expected group of the Dodgers, Giants and Rangers, who met on Rodon even after signing star Jacob deGrom to his $185 million, five-year deal.
It’s unclear if the Mets are still in on Rodon following the $86.6 million signing of Justin Verlander — there are conflicting signs there — but while they like him, they generally have been guarding against players with qualifying offers attached, another reason that made Verlander more attractive to them than Rodon.
The Mets do like ex-Yankee Jameson Taillon and also remain interested in Japanese star Kodai Senga. Neither of those pitchers have qualifying offers attached, so neither would mean the loss of a draft choice. The Mets already picked up one draft choice via deGrom’s signing.
The Mets are also interested in Andrew Heaney, who had a bounce-back season with the Dodgers, and in bringing back Chris Bassitt, to fill out their rotation.
