The Rangers kicked off their seek for rotation assist Thursday night, saying the acquisition of right-hander Jake Odorizzi from the Braves. Atlanta receives lefty Kolby Allard in a one-for-one swap that additionally sees the Braves pay down a notable portion of Odorizzi’s wage. Atlanta will reportedly cowl $10MM of his $12.5MM determine, which was locked in when the veteran starter exercised a participant possibility for subsequent yr.
Going into 2021, Odorizzi signed a two-year, $23.5MM assure with the Astros with a convoluted construction. He obtained a $6MM signing bonus and $6MM wage in 2021, adopted by a $5MM wage in 2022. That was to be adopted by a $6.5MM participant possibility with a $3.25MM buyout. Nonetheless, there have been additionally efficiency escalators that might improve the worth of each the choice and the buyout. Over the preliminary two years of the deal, if Odorizzi obtained into 20, 25 and 30 video games, he would add $2MM to the wage and $1MM to the buyout at every of these milestones. He simply hit all three, stepping into 46 video games, maxing out the choice worth at $12.5MM.
Odorizzi posted a 4.21 ERA with Houston in 2021 after which had a 3.75 mark on the deadline when he was traded to Atlanta for Will Smith. Sadly, the uniform swap didn’t assist him, as he posted a 5.24 mark after the deal. He additionally had a 6.59 ERA within the shortened 2020 season, which means he hasn’t seen robust outcomes over the previous three years. Although he had a 27.1% strikeout fee in 2019, he’s been hovering round 20% since then, just a few ticks beneath league common.
Atlanta was clearly not terribly excited concerning the concept of paying him $12.5MM, primarily based each on their tight payroll situation and Odorizzi’s outcomes. He probably isn’t considered one of their 5 finest starters anyway, as they’ve Max Fried, Kyle Wright, Charlie Morton, and Spencer Strider for the primary 4 spots, with Bryce Elder, Ian Anderson, Kyle Muller and Jared Shuster candidates for the fifth. They’ll decide up solely $2.5MM in wage reduction, however the deal clears a path for a few of their youthful arms to compete for a back-of-the-rotation job.
The Rangers are in want of rotation upgrades after getting poor leads to that division in 2022. Texas starters posted a collective 4.63 ERA this yr, putting them twenty fifth within the majors. They obtained some respectable work from Jon Gray and a profession yr from veteran Martín Pérez, although Pérez has now reached free company and disadvantaged the already-weak rotation of its strongest performer. There’s reportedly mutual curiosity in a reunion, although nothing has been finalized but and the membership is now likely to extend him a $19.65MM qualifying provide.
With Pérez nonetheless within the wind, that leaves Texas with Grey and a bunch of query marks behind him. Dane Dunning was respectable sufficient, posting a 4.46 ERA this yr over 29 begins. Nonetheless, his season was completed by hip surgical procedure and it’s unclear what situation he’ll be in subsequent yr. Glenn Otto made 27 begins and posted an ERA of 4.64. The membership additionally gave a handful of begins to Taylor Hearn, Cole Ragans and Spencer Howard, although all of them posted an ERA of 4.95 or increased. Given all that uncertainty, it will be logical for them to contemplate any and all avenues to improve the workers, with common supervisor Chris Younger saying principally that on the GM Conferences in Las Vegas this week, per Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News. That can apparently embody giving Odorizzi a shot to supply some higher outcomes.
Along with clearing a little bit of wage off the books, Atlanta will obtain one other arm in Allard. The 25-year-old was really drafted by Atlanta within the first spherical again in 2015 however went to the Rangers in 2019 in alternate for Chris Martin. He’s pitched in every of the previous 5 MLB seasons however has a profession 6.07 ERA. He has respectable management with a 7.8% stroll fee in his profession, although his 18.6% strikeout fee and 37.8% floor ball fee are each subpar. He had been a part of the Ranger rotation from 2019-21 however obtained bumped to bullpen work in 2022. The transfer didn’t assist him, as he put up a 7.29 ERA over 21 innings out of the ’pen.
Ultimately, it appears each groups are giving up on pitchers that weren’t of their plans going ahead. Texas is determined for rotation stability and can see if Odorizzi can present it, with Atlanta serving to them pay the invoice. It’s more likely to be considered one of a number of strikes to deal with the beginning workers as they appear to emerge from their years-long rebuild. For Atlanta, they’re sending away some money however will at the least save a few bucks as they appear to revamp and attempt to win a sixth straight NL East title.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was first to report the Braves had been paying $10MM of Odorizzi’s wage.
Picture courtesy of USA At present Sports activities.
