Washington Nationals Rumors: Add Jake Odorizzi as the latest target
According to the latest Washington Nationals rumors from Ken Rosenthal, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jake Odorizzi is on their radar.
Behind ace Max Scherzer, the Washington Nationals are in pretty good shape with their starting rotation. Third-place Cy Young finisher Stephen Strasburg at number two with Gio Gonzalez coming off a career-year makes for a terrific threesome. It’s also worth remembering how amazing Tanner Roark had been before the 2017 slump.
The current fifth starter for the Nationals doesn’t evoke the same confidence. A.J. Cole is the top choice, but that could soon change based on the latest Washington Nationals rumors.
The Tampa Bay Rays have a few young pitchers ready to knock the veterans onto the trade block. Alongside Chris Archer, pitcher Jake Odorizzi is a constant offseason trade target mentioned on the rumor mill. In the recent rumors about Odorizzi, the Nationals have been mentioned as a possible destination.
Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Odorizzi is drawing trade interest from several teams. Fellow pitcher Collin McHugh is also supposedly on the block. However, only Odorizzi’s name is associated with the Nationals.
Is Jake Odorizzi a fit for the Washington Nationals?
When discussing the possibility of the Washington Nationals adding a starting pitcher this winter, I always cite Gio Gonzalez’s expiring contract. Since it’s not a sure thing that he’ll return in 2019, it’s worth looking at other options now.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Jake Odorizzi would certainly help the Nationals fill that void for a season. Odorizzi will make his way into free agency after the 2019 campaign. By replacing Gonzalez, it’s only a temporary fix.
Odorizzi is far cheaper than any of the free agent options out there. Former Rays’ pitcher Alex Cobb will command more on the open market. Lance Lynn should also take home more than what Odorizzi earns.
From a statistical standpoint, Odorizzi is tough to judge. His 2017 performance resulted in a career-worst 4.14 ERA. Home runs got the better of him with balls leaving the yard at a rate of 1.9 per nine innings. Walks appeared a lot more frequently, too. The 3.8 per nine Odorizzi allowed is yet another stain on a forgettable year.
The Cost
The Washington Nationals haven’t made any significant trades this winter. That’s primarily because they are unwilling to part with top prospects Victor Robles and Juan Soto. The Tampa Bay Rays will inevitably ask about that pair, but will probably need to accept a package headlined by Carter Kieboom instead. Essentially, the Nationals would land Odorizzi for the rumored package they offered the Miami Marlins for J.T. Realmuto.
Next: Kapler slammed again by Francona for “anti-military” remarks
A free agent class full of pitchers at different prices could delay any potential deal between the Nationals and Rays. If the two teams can come to an agreement though, Odorizzi might make for a nice stop gap for two seasons. Think of him as a replacement for Joe Ross in 2018 and Gio Gonzalez the following year.