According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, negotiations for starter Jake Odorizzi are heating up. The former Mets GM notes that the Mets, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays and among the teams still in the mix.
With the high-level of interest, Duquette says the righty is expected to receive a multi-year deal.
The Mets’ interest should not come as a shock, they have reportedly been showing interest in Odorizzi for a while now. However, back on December 7th SNY’s Andy Martino noted they may’ve fallen behind more aggressive suitors.
Behind Trevor Bauer, Odorizzi is easily one of the top free-agent starters on the market.
Like reliever Trevor May, Odorizzi enjoyed one of his best seasons while working with Mets pitching coach Jeremy Hefner, who was the Twins assistant pitching coach at the time. That season, Odorizzi earned his first All-Star appearance and helping the Twins clinch their first division title since 2010. Over 159 innings, the right-hander posted a record of 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA and a career high 178 strikeouts.
A reunion with Hef and a fully healthy season could lead to a huge bounce-back for the righty, after a pair of freak injuries limited him to just 13 innings in 2020.
If Jared Porter and company decide to pass on Bauer and work more in the second-tier market for starting pitching, Odorizzi would be a very welcomed addition to the Mets’ rotation.
