3 Chicago White Sox off-season misses that hurt them

(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Chicago White Sox, Carlos Rodon
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

Letting Carlos Rodon Walk

The Chicago White Sox could really use Carlos Rodon in their rotation right now.

There were plenty of red flags surrounding Carlos Rodon. An injury-riddled past and unproven track record are among two of the biggest concerns.

Rodon had a breakout season in 2021. He posted a 2.37 ERA recorded a career-high 185 strikeouts, was selected to his first All-Star team, and threw a no-hitter.

Quality left-handed starters are a hot commodity. After having a career-year Rodon was in line for a big payday. It was understandable that he may have been out of the White Sox price range. But Rick Hahn did not even extend him a qualifying offer.

Rodon ended up taking his talents to the San Fransico Giants. The White Sox replacements for Rodon included a patchwork job of Vince Velasquez and Johnny Cueto to take over the fifth starter duties.

Rodon has been incredible for the Giants. He is 3-0 with a microscopic 1.17 ERA, he also has 38 strikeouts in just four starts, highlighted by a 12 strikeout performance against the Miami Marlins.

Seeing how banged up the White Sox rotation was to start the season, Rodon would be a nice luxury to have. Time will tell if his left shoulder will hold up for a full season. But if it does, not doing more to bring back Rodon will be one of the White Sox’s biggest whiffs of the offseason.

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