Yankees Rumors: NY Has 'Definite Interest' in Carlos Rodón After Aaron Judge Contract

The New York Yankees have "definite interest" in free-agent pitcher Carlos Rodón after securing a deal for Aaron Judge, according to Jack Curry of YES.

Re-signing Judge had been a priority for the Yankees, and the two sides agreed to a $360 million deal over nine years Wednesday, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The Yankees can turn their sights to improving the rotation, and they have confidence Rodón "has the mettle to succeed" in New York, per Curry.

Rodón spent last season with the San Francisco Giants after signing a two-year deal, finishing with a 14-8 record, 2.88 ERA and a league-high 12.0 strikeouts per nine innings.

He earned his second straight All-Star selection and finished sixth in voting for the National League Cy Young award. The left-hander finished fifth in voting for the American League Cy Young a year earlier with the Chicago White Sox.

The 29-year-old opted out of the final year of his contract last month, giving him a chance to earn a long-term deal. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Rodón wants a six-year contract at more than $30 million per year.

He could be a good fit for the Yankees, who are looking to add depth to the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes. Another front-line starter may be what they need to get over the top after failing to reach the World Series despite six straight seasons of playoff appearances.

The market has a steep drop-off at the position if the Yankees don't land Rodón.

Proven veterans Jacob deGrom and Justin Verlander have found new homes, while productive starters Taijuan Walker, José Quintana and Zach Eflin have also come off the market. Chris Bassitt and Japanese pitcher Koudai Senga are among the remaining options if New York can't sign Rodón.