MLB Rumors: New "Mystery Team" Revealed In Carlos Rodon Sweepstakes

There is some big money floating around from some deep-pocketed teams in the chase to land top remaining free agent pitcher Carlos Rodon. Now a "mystery team" entering the fray has been revealed. 

There’s a mystery team in on Rodon, and it’s believed to be the Cardinals (so maybe it’s not such a great mystery after all) #mysteryteam

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 11, 2022

The St. Louis Cardinals, reports MLB Insider Jon Heyman, are in on Rodon. They have a full starting rotation for 2023, with six pitchers in the mix. But a year from now, they'll have only two of those six under contract. GM John Mozeliak is quite away of this, and it's certainly possible the Cards could be starting to make plans for the future of their rotation by signing Rodon to the seven-year pact that he's said to be looking for. 

41-year-old Adam Wainwright has stated that 2023 will be his final year in the bigs, while Miles Mikolas, Jack Flaherty, and Jordan Montgomery will all become free agents after the season. Only Steven Matz and Dakota Hudson are signed for 2024 and beyond. 

“A year from now, we know we’re going to need starting pitching,” said Mozeliak, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Does that mean a run at Rodon is in the... cards? Mozeliak was coy about that, saying “don't believe many of the rumors you’re reading right now.” He also noted that they will pursue extensions with one or two of their impending free agent starters, as well as saying that they have some young arms on the way in the farm system. 

All of that, of course, could be a negotiating ploy, something to throw the competition off the scent. 

The San Francisco Giants (his 2022 team), New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles are all said to be Rodon suitors. 

Any way you look at it, Rodon is holding all the cards in this game. 

Photo: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports