By Alex Barth, 985TheSportsHub.com
To this point, the Red Sox offseason has consisted mostly of reports of them showing ‘interest’ in a number of players. But how many of those reports have included ‘serious’ as a qualifier?
According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the Red Sox have “serious interest” in starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi. The 30-year-old right hander was an All-Star in 2019, but is coming off of an injury-riddled 2020.
In that 2019 season, Odorizzi made 30 starts for the Twins, finishing with a record of 15-7. He posted a 3.51 ERA with a 1.21 WHIP in 159 innings, striking out 178 batters while walking just 53. Due to injuries, he made just four starts in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.
A first-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008, Odorizzi has an impressive repertoire. He throws a low-to-mid 90s fastball to go along with a cutter, slider, splitter, curveball, and and split-fingered changeup he calls “The Thing.”
The Red Sox interest in Odorizzi deserves more attention than the typical report. Chaim Bloom traded for Odorizzi in 2012, when he was the director of baseball operations for the Tampa Bay Rays. With the rotation still a patchwork at best, Odorizzi is exactly the kind of aquisition the Red Sox need to make.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the Red Sox.
Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at Alexander.Barth@bbgi.com.