Jake Odorizzi could push the Philadelphia Phillies into the postseason
By David Esser
Despite the additions of Matt Moore and Chase Anderson, it appears Dave Dombrowski and the Philadelphia Phillies aren’t fully satisfied with their starting staff quite yet. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the team has checked in with the likes of free agent RHP Jake Odorizzi:
Phillies are among new teams to check in on Jake Odorizzi as just said on @MLBNetwork They’ve already had a very good winter and this would be a big boost to their rotation. The Angels have been in all along. Others, too.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 24, 2021
This isn’t the first time the Phillies have been linked to Odorizzi this offseason, as there were reports that circulated a few weeks back that Dombrowski was kicking the tires on the likes of Odorizzi, Taijuan Walker, and James Paxton. With the latter two names signing elsewhere, it makes sense for the Phillies to circle back to Odorizzi.
The Philadelphia Phillies have kept in touch with Jake Odorizzi.
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An All-Star back in 2019, Odorizzi is coming off a brutal 2020 campaign marred by a handful of different injuries. He simply never got himself into throwing shape for the Twins last season, finishing the year with a 6.59 ERA across just 13.2 innings pitched.
However, the year prior Odorizzi finished with a 3.51 ERA and a career-high 15 wins. The seven seasons before that were equally as strong, as his career ERA sits just below 4.00.
While Odorizzi would obviously need to “bounce-back” in 2021 for it to end up being a worthwhile addition, the odds are in his favor. He doesn’t turn 31 until late March, and (like previously stated) he’s been a pretty reliable #3 starter for the majority of his professional career.
Slotting him in behind (or ahead of) Zach Eflin in the rotation would have a positive “trickle down” effect on the rest of the Phillies’ pitching staff. Chase Anderson would feel less pressure as the team’s fifth starter, while guys like Matt Moore, Vince Velasquez, and even Spencer Howard could battle it out during Spring Training as long-relievers.
Both Paxton and Walker signed for deals in the $8 million range, which is likely what Odorizzi is expecting to get with the regular season on the horizon. While sub-$10 million for a recent All-Star starting pitcher is undoubtedly a “steal”, the major catch is that a signing like this would likely put the Philadelphia Phillies over the ever-dreaded luxury tax.
Owner John Middleton has shown an unwillingness to cross that threshold in the past, but Dave Dombrowski also has a history of convincing teams to shell out cash when talent is there to be acquired.
Next. 5 free agents that could still be of interest to the Philadelphia Phillies. dark
Disregarding his injury-riddled 2020 campaign for the moment, you’re looking at a 30 year old starting pitcher with a sub-4.00 ERA coming off an All-Star season just one year ago. Considering the fact that pitching depth remains one of the Philadelphia Phillies biggest issues at the moment, and hypothetically adding Odorizzi could genuinely be the move to finally vault the Phils back into the postseason conversation.