Former SF Giants pitcher Carlos Rodon is the newest addition to the New York Yankees rotation. He’s already making enemies at his old stomping grounds.
So Carlos Rodon…wants to get booed?
The Giant-turned-Yankee pitcher signed a six-year, $162 million deal in an offseason loaded with fresh faces in new places, Rodon included. He will headline a New York rotation that came up short against the Houston Astros in the ALCS last season.
Nonetheless, the Yanks already face similar injuries in spring training. Frankie Montas could be out for the year. But spring training is the time for excitement, and perhaps a few jests as well.
Yankees news: Did Carlos Rodon take a shot at SF Giants fans?
When asked about what attracted him to New York, Rodon said that Yankees fans are more engaged than anywhere he’s pitched before, including San Francisco.
“There was just something about the Yankees. The fans here want to win. They care. They care a lot. Giants fans are invested, but not like New York. Win or lose, you’re not getting booed in San Francisco,” Rodon said, per Bob Klapisch of NJ.com.
Rodon has proven himself on back-to-back prove-it deals, but he has some past injury concerns as well. Assuming he can stay healthy with the Yankees, he’s been the model of consistency the past two years. Rodon had a 2.37 ERA in 24 starts with the White Sox in 2021, and a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts with the Giants in 2022. He finished top-6 in Cy Young voting both seasons.
So far, so good in spring training, as he’s impressed the coaching staff in his brief outings.
“He’s just a little brash and confident,” Aaron Boone said, per the New York Post. “He’s just competitive. You see it every time we get into, certainly a live situation. But he comes with that reputation, having a little fire to him. He’s also easy to talk to, easy to fit in with. I feel like he’s off to a good start.”