Starting pitcher Carlos Rodon Robert Edwards-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Twins may be trying to poach a former division rival.

Dan Hayes of The Athletic reported this week that the Twins have “definite interest” in signing lefty starter Carlos Rodon. Hayes does say that Rodon’s price tag may soar to a range beyond what Minnesota is comfortable with paying but notes that the Twins would be able to afford him regardless.

Rodon went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA and a top-tier 12.0 strikeouts per nine for the San Francisco Giants in 2022, making his second straight All-Star team. He used to compete against the Twins in the AL Central, spending the first seven years of his MLB career with the Chicago White Sox.

Minnesota’s rotation was a bit shaky last season, posting just 35 total quality starts (the second-fewest in Major League Baseball). Though the Twins have worthy names on paper (Sonny Gray, Tyler Mahle, Kenta Maeda, Joe Ryan, etc.), many of them are older and/or injury wild cards. Rodon could easily become the immediate ace of the Minnesota staff, but they will be facing stiff competition for him from elsewhere in the AL.

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Celtics legend provides update after gruesome finger injury
Bulls hire former NBA head coach as top assistant
Chiefs move on from young running back
20-year MLB veteran working out, unsure about playing future
USA Hockey names HC for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Olympics
Key Knicks forward ruled out for Game 7 vs. Pacers
Pacers' Pascal Siakam leads team to Game 6 win vs. Knicks
Watch: Matt Duchene's 2OT winner sends Stars to conference final
Scottie Scheffler shoots improbable 66 after warming up for PGA Championship in a jail cell
Report: Tua Tagovailoa away from Dolphins amid contract chatter
Nuggets star has worrying comment about latest injury
Paul Skenes makes incredible Wrigley Field history in second-career MLB start
Giants rookie CF to undergo season-ending labrum surgery
Yankees' Juan Soto reacts to Hal Steinbrenner contract talk
Late goal sends Panthers to Eastern Conference Finals
Ex-teammate of Shohei Ohtani placed bets with same illegal bookmaker as interpreter 
Former Rams first-round pick retires from NFL after 11 seasons
Insider provides major injury update on Celtics' Kristaps Porzingis
Watch: Bruins strike first in Game 6 with incredible backhand goal
Dodgers make series of moves involving notable players

Want more MLB news?

Join the hundreds of thousands of fans who start their day with Yardbarker's Morning Bark, the best newsletter in sports.