The Carlos Rodón non-trade in 2022 was scarring. That’s not because the Giants ended up with nothing. Joe Whitman , who was selected in 2023 with the compensatory draft pick they got for Rodón, is having a strong full-season debut.
It’s scarring because they couldn’t trade an All-Star who was dominating and about to finish sixth in the National League Cy Young race. Teams weren’t willing to offer good prospects for an ace at the top of his game. Advertisement The Phillies started Noah Syndergaard in the World Series.
The Guardians lost the ALDS in a Game 5. The Mets were bounced from the Wild Card Series in a Game 3. All of them should feel shame and regret for not trading for Rodón.
So it was a surprise to read Baggs’ reporting that the trade market for Blake Snell is robust . The most important contract wrinkle involves left-hander Blake Snell , whom industry sources say is drawing significant trade interest after returning to his 2023 NL Cy Young Award-winning form over his past three starts. You’d think the market for Snell would be similar to what it was for Rodón.
Both were left-handers with enough talent to start in a postseason Game 1. Both weren’t known for pitching deep into ballgames. Both were compensated well, with the ability to opt out (or opt in if they get hurt).
The main difference is that Snell’s 2024 season has had a much, much rockier start than Rodón’s 2022, but it’s nice to see contending teams act normal again. Another dif.
