Fire Intensifies Around Odorizzi
July 18th, 2016
Lots of eyes have watched Jake Odorizzi lately, and Joe’s not talking about those who bleed Rays blue.
‘Tis the season for trade buzz, and the right-hander has been at the center of speculation. The Associated Press reports, scouts from postseason dreamers like Texas, Washington, Boston, Miami, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets have checked out Odorizzi’s recent starts.
Odorizzi, who is as cool as the North Pole at midnight, was asked about the possible trade distraction after he allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings during the Rays’ 5-2 victory over the Orioles yesterday at the Trop. He handled the question like a pro.
“I’ve been through it multiple times,” Odorizzi told reporters via the AP. “It doesn’t really bother me any. Usually there’s a lot more smoke than there is fire for a lot of the times.”
Joe’s pretty confident the fire will receive the last laugh.
It’s easy to see Odorizzi being shipped away because of Tampa Bay’s full cupboard of starting pitching and the market’s low supply — a simple case of supply and demand.
Joe wouldn’t be a fan of seeing Odorizzi move on. He has grown since arriving in that ballyhooed Wil Myers trade. There’s more Odorizzi can show, and it would be a shame if he reached his potential somewhere else.
That’s the business of baseball, though, especially the Rays’ business. We’ll see if the smoke can hold on.
July 18th, 2016 at 1:53 pm
A solid # 3 starter is worth at least 1 “can’t miss” stud with good hair at the AAA level. Squeeeze the last bit of trade value out of him. Wil Myers will end up hitting 350+ home runs and we’ll still have Souza scuffling in right.
July 18th, 2016 at 2:05 pm
I really did not mind the Rays trading Myers as he seemed to have plateaued with the Rays and issues about him in the clubhouse were numerous yet now he is an All Star in San Diego…. The Rays gave up pitcher Joe Ross and infielder Trea Turner who were acquired to get Souza from the Nats, that is the part of the trade I really disliked as Ross is 7-4 with a 3.4 ERA as a starter for the Nats under control through 2019 and Trea Turner is a high ceiling #1 prospect for the Nats who should be playing for them regularly very soon so he is kind of like Willy Adames except that he is 3 years ahead in his development….. So to sum it up: Silverman really dropped the ball on that 3 way deal as Souza is an injury prone K machine! I hope the rays get some sort of decent return for Odo but knowing the front office they will get prospects with a lot of “potential” but likely will be years away from helping the MLB club…..
July 18th, 2016 at 2:59 pm
Please get a true major league ready shortstop in any trade. Miller has to go to outfield, and a great defender is what the Rays need now at short
July 18th, 2016 at 6:02 pm
Good info. Dave. I think I remember the scribes at the time saying we should have just kept Ross and Turner and not make the trade with Washington. Souza did have 2 RBIs on a couple of infield dribblers last week. Souza, Tim Beckham, and Desmond Jennings are the definition of “potential” going bust. Our hitting coach has done absolutely nothing to help these mopes.
July 18th, 2016 at 6:07 pm
Speaking of Jennings and Beckham, why are these two malcontents still on this team. Have they played since the All Star break ? If they did, it certainly wasn’t memorable. Bring up some of the lads from Durham and lets see what they can do. It’s not like we are playing for anything.
July 19th, 2016 at 5:04 am
Timmy got a hit tonight Darth, raising his average to a stellar 0.175. Hopefully the new catcher from Durham, Maile can hit above the Mendoza line, throw out a few runners and call a decent game behind the plate; something Conger and Casali have failed to do! Nick Franklin got a pinch hit, first time I have seen have seen his name in the box score for awhile…
But my gripe tonight is with the @@@@ing pitching. Why is Drew Smyly in the rotation? Dude went 5 and gave up 5, par for the course for Drew. The Rays were down 5-1 when he left. Tampa has absolutely no chance to win with him starting. AAA him much like they did to Matt Moore last season! Put Andriesse back in the rotation or call up the kid who pitched a no hitter last week for Durham. Nice job by Dylan Floro (who????) for taking a 5-4 Rockie lead (Rays fought back a bit) and turned it into a 7-4 cushion for the home team. Enjoy the cup of coffee Dylan, now its time to go back to AAA…..
July 19th, 2016 at 5:55 am
Joe says: “It’s easy to see Odorizzi being shipped away because of Tampa Bay’s full cupboard of starting pitching and the market’s low supply — a simple case of supply and demand.”
Very true but will the Rays take advantage of this ala Vic Zamprano for Kazmir???? Somehow I think they will still manage to get less than full value despite the depleted number of Starters available!
Also, if the Rays are so stocked with talent, then why is Smyly still in the rotation? He needs to take the red eye to Durham or be relegated to long relief. You can not tell me that Matt Andriesse or one of the arms in Durham can not be more effective than the 2-11 Drew! Another glaring sign of gross mismanagement by the rays!
July 19th, 2016 at 2:07 pm
I didn’t like letting Will Myers go in the first place. I like Odorizzi though. With the brainiac’s calling the shots for the Rays they’ll probably trade Odorizzi for the equivalent of a years supply of Odor eaters and a box of chocolates. These Rays are a perfect fit for Tampa Bay.