Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets are linked to starting pitcher Trevor Bauer tough in recent weeks, but the team is considering a plan B in case no deal is reached.
According to Jon Morosi’s MLB network, the Mets are an option to sign a right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi if they are fans of drawing Bauer. The Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Minnesota Twins have also been in touch with the Illinois resident.
Odorizzi, March 31, is the second best arm in the free market behind Bauer. The Mets had linked up with him earlier in the off season, but talks calmed down as the off season progressed.
The nine-year veteran has spent the past three years with the Twins following a February 2018 trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Odorizzi pitched in only four games during the shortened 2020 season, but had a best career year in 2019, appearing in his first All-Star Game, reaching 4.3 fWAR.
For his career, Odorizzi owns a 3.92 ERA, 4.12 FIP and 4.43 xFIP.
At the saucer, Odorizzi won’t blow his batters away because his fastball speed was in the 23rd percentile during his last full season, while his fastball spin was in the 39th percentile, according to Statcast.
Odorizzi does find a way to score quite a few strikeouts, though, as he has 995 in 1,042.1 career innings. His 2019 whiff rate was also solid, ranking in the 67th percentile and his strikeout rate in the 73rd percentile.
MLB trading rumors at the beginning of winter, Odorizzi was expecting a three-year deal worth $ 39 million. If the Mets turned to him instead of Bauer, they could also fulfill other needs around the diamond, such as in midfield and third base.
Odorizzi is represented by Excel Sports Management.
