Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets were tied with the starting pitcher Trevor Bauer in the last two weeks, but the team is considering a plan B in case a business does not materialize.
According to Jon Morosi from The MLB networkThe Mets are able to sign the right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi if fans at Bauer’s signing. The Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants and Minnesota Twins were also in contact with the Illinois native.
Odorizzi, March 31, is the second best remaining arm on the free agent market behind Bauer. The Mets were tied with him earlier in the offseason, but discussions waned as he progressed before the season.
The nine-year veteran has spent the past three years with the twins after a February 2018 deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Odorizzi played in just four games in the shortened 2020 season, but had the best year of his career in 2019, appearing in his first All-Star game and recording 4.3 fWAR.
For his career, Odorizzi holds an ERA of 3.92, 4.12 FIP and 4.43 xFIP.
As for food, Odorizzi is not going to blow the beat, as his fast speed in his last full season was in the 23rd percentile, while his fast spin was in the 39th percentile, according Statcast.
However, Odorizzi finds a way to get a decent amount of shots, as he has 995 in 1,042.1 innings in his career. Its whiff rate in 2019 was also solid, standing at 67th percentile and hit rate at 73rd percentile.
MLB commercial rumors projected in early winter that Odorizzi would secure a three-year deal with $ 39 million. If the Mets pivoted toward him instead of Bauer, it would allow them to meet other needs around the diamond, such as in midfield and third base.
Odorizzi is represented by Excel Sports Management.
