Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets are linked to the initial launcher Trevor Bauer heavily in the past few weeks, but the team is considering a Plan B in case a deal fails.
According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Mets are a possibility to sign the right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi if they twist on Bauer’s signature. 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 arm left in the free agent market, behind Bauer. Mets was connected to him at the beginning of the off-season, but the conversations calmed down as the off-season progressed.
The nine-year veteran has spent the past three years with the Twins after a February 2018 exchange with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Odorizzi shot in just four games during the short 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 has an ERA 3.92, 4.12 FIP and 4.43 xFIP.
On the plate, Odorizzi will not blow up the hitters, as his fastball speed during his last full season was in the 23rd percentile, while his fastball spin was in the 39th percentile, according to Statcast.
However, Odorizzi finds a way to accumulate a fair amount of eliminations, as he has 995 out of 1,042.1 career entries. Its smell rate in 2019 was also solid, standing at the 67th percentile, and its elimination percentage at the 73rd percentile.
MLB commercial rumors Projected in early winter, Odorizzi would guarantee a $ 39 million deal for three years. If the Mets turned to him instead of Bauer, this would allow them to meet other needs around the diamond as well, such as in the central field and third base.
Odorizzi is represented by Excel Sports Management.
