Top 10 free agent targets for the Mets when the lockout ends

5. Carlos Rodon

With the Mets open rotation spot Carlos Rodon is a very enticing option. He'd be a risk, but one that I believe is worthwhile.

Rodon is coming off of the best season of his career which saw him go 13-5 with a 2.27 ERA in 24 starts. He posted a whopping 12.6 K/9 while walking just 2.4/9 and allowing 0.9 HR/9. He made his first all-star team and finished fifth in the American League Cy Young race.

After that kind of year you'd think the White Sox would want him back, but they declined to offer Rodon the Qualifying Offer worth $18.4 million dollars for one year. That brings up a lot of concern and teams didn't seem to eager to sign the southpaw before the lockout.

Rodon has a length injury history and had multiple cases of arm soreness and fatigue this season causing his velocity to dip significantly in some starts. He missed most of the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery and missed most of the shortened 2020 season with shoulder fatigue.

With all of that being said, the upside is there and it's clear. When healthy, Carlos Rodon has shown he can be a really good pitcher. If the Mets can get him on a one-year deal to serve as the fifth starter that'd be great. Depth is key and for a Mets team that seemingly always gets hurt to have Rodon for at least part of the season giving them quality innings would be very beneficial.