Yankees Rumors: Carlos Rodón Prefers NYY; Twins, Cardinals 'Seriously in Play'

Free-agent starting pitcher Carlos Rodón prefers to sign with the New York Yankees, but the Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals were "believed to be seriously in play" Tuesday afternoon.

Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reported the news on the 30-year-old left-hander, who went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA for the San Francisco Giants last season. He struck out 237 batters in 178 innings en route to his second straight All-Star Game selection.

The interest between the Yankees and Rodón is mutual, and Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported Monday that a formal offer from New York was expected to be sent to the eight-year veteran Monday or Tuesday.

Heyman also reported that the Yankees' "main focus" was Rodón and that New York seemed "very serious and hopeful about this pursuit."

The Yankees, however, have competition. Heyman reported Sunday that the Cardinals were in the mix.

St. Louis has already made one major free-agent acquisition in catcher Willson Contreras to replace franchise legend Yadier Molina, and Rodón could be the team's ace.

Rodón is searching for at least a seven-year deal, per Heyman and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Heyman added that the Yanks appeared "reluctant" to give Rodón such a contract.

Rodón would help complete a tremendous rotation in the Bronx led by All-Stars Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes. He'd likely slot in between the two as the Yankees seek their first World Series appearance since 2009.

For now, Rodón has options as the top free-agent pitcher on the market. He is coming off a tremendous two-year stretch wherein he went 27-13 with a 2.67 ERA, a 1.00 WHIP and 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The former North Carolina State star began his MLB career in 2015 with the Chicago White Sox. He signed as a free agent with the Giants in March and opted out of the second and final year of the deal in November.