Jake Odorizzi won his arbitration hearing against the Rays and will be paid $6.3MM in 2018 as opposed to the $6.05MM figure submitted by the team, reports Marc Tokpin of the Tampa Bay Times (on Twitter). It’s a $2.2MM raise overall for the right-hander, who earned $4.1MM in 2017. Odorizzi recently hired Excel Sports Management as his new representation after leaving CSE following the scandal involving former agent Jason Wood.
Odorizzi, 28 next month, has now topped the Rays in arbitration hearings in consecutive years, though his 2017 performance was not nearly as strong as his 2016 showing. This past season, Odorizzi worked to a 4.14 ERA with 8.0 K/9 against 3.8 BB/9 in 143 1/3 innings — a step back from 2016’s 187 2/3 frames of 3.69 ERA ball with an identical K/9 mark and a vastly superior 2.6 BB/9 rate.
Odorizzi’s name has come up frequently in trade rumors this offseason even with Spring Training underway, as the Rays are reportedly still looking to shed some payroll before the season begins. He’s been connected to the Twins, Brewers and Orioles, among other teams, in recent weeks.
He’s making too much money now. No way he can be traded for anything of value…
$6.3 million for a mid rotation starter that is heading into his age 28 season isn’t that expensive.
I was just kidding. As a brewers fan I want them to trade for Odorizzi. 2yr/14M ish left of control isn’t bad at all.
Huh? It might take to April or May but some team with a need by then will be calling. If he starts off well that will also help out. Pitching is needed by teams even above average pitching.
brewer Santana for Odorizzi works out for both teams
I can’t see the brewers giving up 5 years of control of Santana straight up for Odorizzi. Maybe Broxton and a higher prospect like Ortiz?
Tampa would want more.
For 2 years of control? Plus they have kind of backed themselves into a corner saying they need to cut payroll and clear a spot for Romo. No way anyone takes Span
Brewers need more coming back than just Odorizzi.
Rays already have tons of guys who can play outfield. They’ve got Kiermaier and Souza locked down in CF and RF, will have Mallex Smith, and Denard Span fighting for the left field spot during spring training, and have Dickerson who can play corner outfield as well.
In a Broxton/Ortiz package the selling point would be a top 100 prospect and starter in Ortiz.
Rays already have several of those.
Now that that’s decided, this might reopen trade talks
It does make me wonder what the rules on an arbitration hearing of a player that is traded are. Does the new team get to file a different number? I wouldn’t think so. Is the hearing with the new team or the old team? Trading for a player would seem to be a point in the player’s favor. Has it even ever happened that a player was traded between the exchange of numbers and a hearing?
Great, now come home and play with your beloved Cardinals.
Would love to see the Rangers get him, but not sure if we have the prospects to do it. Our farm system ain’t what it used to be