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Boston Red Sox reportedly eyeing Jake Odorizzi

By David Hill

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jake Odorizzi #12 of theMinnesota Twins takes a moment on the mound after being defeated by the Houston Astros in Game Two in the American League Wild Card Round at Target Field on September 30, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Astros defeated the Twins 3-1 to advance to the next round. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jake Odorizzi #12 of theMinnesota Twins takes a moment on the mound after being defeated by the Houston Astros in Game Two in the American League Wild Card Round at Target Field on September 30, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Astros defeated the Twins 3-1 to advance to the next round. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox starting rotation needs work. According to reports, they are looking at Jake Odorizzi as an upgrade to their pitching staff.

The Boston Red Sox starting rotation is a major question mark for the upcoming season. At this point, Nathan Eovaldi is their only healthy starter, a situation that is tenuous at best. Tanner Houck is likely to hold down another spot in the rotation, but he has all of three appearances at the major league level. Chris Sale will not be back until midseason at best, and Eduardo Rodriguez missed the 2020 season due to complications from COVID-19. The Red Sox have a lot of talent in their rotation, but they also have a lot of questions.

Understandably, they are looking for help to shore up their starting five. According to reports, the Red Sox have identified a potential option, as they are heavily pursuing Jake Odorizzi.

Boston’s front office has a level of familiarity with the former Twins starter. Chaim Bloom had traded for Odorizzi when he was a part of the Rays’ front office in 2012. Likewise, the Red Sox have seen the righty up close over the years, especially during his time in Tampa Bay.

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This may be the perfect time for Boston to pounce on Odorizzi. He struggled through the shortened season, making just four appearances due to injuries. His results when he was able to get to the mound were not promising, as Odorizzi posted a 6.59 ERA and a 1.390 WHiP in his 13.2 innings.

Odorizzi’s struggles in 2020 are a departure from the type of pitcher that he has been over the years. While he is not an ace, he has been a solid middle of the rotation starter, the type of pitcher that can help bring a team to the postseason.

If the Red Sox starting rotation is healthy, that is really all they need. Sale and Rodriguez have established themselves as top of the rotation arms as long as they can take the mound. Having Odorizzi as their third starter would be a tremendous upgrade to a pitching staff that had 16 different starting pitchers in 2020.

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The Boston Red Sox are reportedly in hot pursuit of Jake Odorizzi. He could be exactly what the starting rotation needs going forward.

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