Did Giants just change Carlos Rodón market while Yankees wait?

Will the New York Yankees secure their biggest addition of the offseason in the coming days?

As it stands, the Bombers did a phenomenal job taking care of Aaron Judge for life, but are still firmly in “run it back” mode, despite persistent rumors of massive moves still to come. According to those in the know, Hal Steinbrenner promised Judge that he’d have the financial flexibility to bring in additional workhorses if his right fielder pledged his services long-term. So far, those horses remain in the stable.

Anthony Rizzo and Judge were essential parts of this team’s fabric, and losing Judge especially would’ve merited a near-total reset (something the Yankees probably would’ve balked at, and probably shouldn’t have). Now that both are back, though, the team can’t be reliant on the Houston Astros losing Justin Verlander and Yuli Gurriel making the difference in the ALCS. They have to make their own history by improving the roster, not by staying complacent.

That’s where Carlos Rodón comes in, a perfect candidate to lengthen the rotation (and send Frankie Montas to the No. 5 role in 2023) and insure against the likely departure of Luis Severino/Montas after the season ends.

According to sources, the Yankees are heavily in on Rodón, seeing his makeup as a perfect fit for the Bronx. Chatter is the feeling is mutual, and the only thing standing in the way is the length of the contract. There’s a reason this fit has been well-predicted by team insiders and national writers alike. It just makes sense.

As the Yankees sat and waited on Sunday, they might’ve seen a top competitor for the lefty’s services fall by the wayside, as the San Francisco Giants theoretically clogged their rotation by signing Sean Manaea.

Who’s left in Carlos Rodón market and competing with Yankees after Giants sign Sean Manaea?

Here’s where the Rodón market stands after the Giants likely eliminated themselves (even though Susan Slusser is saying otherwise)

• The St. Louis Cardinals, floated as a mystery team by Jon Heyman on Sunday — some mystery! Minutes later, John Mozeliak claimed recent rumors were not true. Scott Boras had to love that.
• The Dodgers? They could use a solid No. 2 behind Julio Urías/potential ace, but have been unwilling to shell out big bucks all winter long in an effort to reset things for Shohei Ohtani next offseason. Would Rodón want a super short-term deal?
• The Red Sox? They whiffed on Kodai Senga after whiffing on Xander Bogaerts. So what is it for the Sox this offseason? Carlos Correa? Rodón? Nothing?
• And the Yankees, who must feel comfortable about meeting the left-hander’s reps in the middle, considering both sides have a desire to get a deal done. Boras wants $200 million and seven years? Maybe a vesting option? Maybe we all approach that number? Maybe we have fun in the Bronx all summer long?

The Rodón chase appears to finally be nearing its end, and the final push was clouded by the Giants adding a different starter and the Cardinals seemingly opting out of being the mystery team Boras desired.

Will the Yankees improve their roster rather than standing pat? Rodón is the clearest path, by far, to making that happen.