Minnesota Twins: New guy Jake Odorizzi key to recruiting Alex Cobb
By Tim Boyle
Recruiting friends and former teammates is a common trend in sports. One of the newest Minnesota Twins, Jake Odorizzi, has a duty to recruit ex-teammate Alex Cobb.
Over the weekend, the Tampa Bay Rays traded Jake Odorizzi to the Minnesota Twins. The pitcher-needy Twins added an essential piece to their 2018 puzzle.
However, one can easily argue the Twins need more starting pitching. Behind Ervin Santana and Jose Berrios, the team is rather barren. Even they carry concerns. Santana is already slated to miss Opening Day.
After losing out on the Yu Darvish sweepstakes, the Twins have limited their options. They could turn to Jake Arrieta. Due to the cost associated, I see them going a different route. Instead of forking over big dollars, they should get on the phone with free agent Alex Cobb. Thankfully, they now have one of his former teammates to help with the negotiating.
Cobb and Odorizzi spent five years together in Tampa Bay. Sadly, Cobb only experienced one trip to the postseason. Odorizzi made his MLB debut at the tail end of the Rays’ successful run. To ensure they don’t waste more of their time in MLB with baseball ending after game 162, it would help if these two talented arms joined forces again.
Current Minnesota Twins Rotation
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Knowing they will open the 2018 season without Ervin Santana, it’s even more imperative that the Minnesota Twins make an additional move. A slow start could ruin any chances of catching the division leader.
The current construction of the rotation has them opening the year with Berrios, Odorizzi, Kyle Gibson, and a combination of veterans and unproven journeyman/youngsters. None of them inspire.
Since this is a division with three rebuilding teams, the Twins must not waste an opportunity. Alex Cobb survived parts of six seasons in the difficult American League East. Add him to this rotation, and suddenly the Twins have a chance to keep up with the rest of the league.
Beyond the Starting Rotation
A glance at the roster, the Minnesota Twins have their work cut out for them. They lack star power. Their best power hitter, Miguel Sano, is facing off-field issues. The lack of extension talks between Brian Dozier and the Twins could also create a distraction.
Simply put, this is an incomplete team with a lot more that can go wrong than right. Paul Molitor has been lucky twice already during his managerial stint. Instead of rolling the dice again, it’s time the Twins conform and spend a little more money.
Next: Twins acquire Jake Odorizzi from the Tampa Bay Rays
This all starts with the new guy inviting one of his friends to play.