The trade rumor mill is up and running.
MLB insider Jim Bowden is reporting there may be talks between the Rangers and Rays that would bring pitcher Jake Odorizzi to Texas. Names being thrown around that the Rays have interest in: Jurickson Profar, Joey Gallo and Lewis Brinson.
There’s no doubt the Rangers are in the market for starting pitching, with the all the injuries to the starting rotation. Plus, those who are currently plugged in to fill those spots are not getting it done. Odorizzi would be an upgrade based on the numbers. The 26-year-old right-hander is 3-3 with a 3.91 ERA in 17 starts this season with Tampa Bay.
The question would be whether you feel Odorizzi is worth giving up a couple of your top prospects for. Profar is hot right now, so this would be the time to move him to fill a need. Gallo was deemed untouchable in the past, but things change.
Not sure if the Rangers let Brinson, the Rangers top overall prospect, go since he’s viewed as the centerfielder of the future. Remember, Ian Desmond is working on a one-year deal. If you trade Brinson, do you pony up the money and go after Desmond with a new deal after the season? It’s hard for teams to say goodbye to their top minor league prospect.
But if you’re a team like the Mets, do you pick up the phone and call Rangers general manager Jon Daniels and offer pitcher Matt Harvey for a prospect package like this? The Mets have issues in the infield, something that Profar and Gallo could help with right away.
While the “Dark Knight of Gotham” has struggled this season, he is still a young power pitcher who was once considered the best in the game prior to Tommy John surgery in 2014. The Mets have plenty of pitching, which could make Harvey expendable.
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The Rangers are rumored to be looking to young controllable pitchers who could be a big part of a playoff rotation this year, which is why Odorizzi is reportedly on their radar. Harvey is signed through 2016, but is arbitrary eligible in 2017, which makes it a little more of a gamble.
The Rangers appear to want more than just a one-year rental, which makes Odorizzi the frontrunner in this scenario.
