The San Francisco Giants made a key move this morning, signing left-hander Sean Manaea to a two-year, $25 million deal.
The Giants are in a position where they may end up losing their ace in Carlos Rodon.
Manaea provides a little extra depth in their rotation and gives them somebody to go next to Logan Webb.
However, the Manaea signing doesn’t appear to have changed anything for San Francisco.
According to team insider Susan Slusser, the Manaea signing does not impact the Giants’ pursuit of Rodon.
The Giants are still making a push to try and keep their star left-hander beyond the 2022 season.
I’m told the Giants *are* still pursing Rodon. Manaea signing does not impact that. https://t.co/yQHtyxQTQt
—Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) December 12, 2022
Giants Still Trying To Retain Rodon
San Francisco has already signed outfielder Mitch Haniger to a three-year deal.
After missing out on Aaron Judge, the goal now appears to be adding a shortstop and re-signing Rodon.
Keeping the veteran left-hander would give them a huge boost as they look to rebound from a disappointing 2022 season which saw them finish at .500 and in third place in the National League West division.
Rodon won 14 games and posted a 2.88 ERA in 31 starts and 178 innings of work.
He was signed by the Giants after the team had lost right-hander Kevin Gausman in free agency last offseason.
Rodon was given a two-year, $44 million contract which included an opt-out clause after the first season, which the left-hander obviously exercised in the hope of signing a longer-term deal.
The Giants now have a chance to keep their star left-hander and bolster their starting rotation ahead of the 2023 season.