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Blue Jays: Three free agent arms who could solidify the rotation

By Clayton Richer

TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners picks up the baseball off the turf before beginning to pitch the second inning with his maple leaf tattoo on his right forearm during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Paxton
TORONTO, ON - MAY 8: James Paxton #65 of the Seattle Mariners picks up the baseball off the turf before beginning to pitch the second inning with his maple leaf tattoo on his right forearm during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on May 8, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** James Paxton /
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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 26: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Hammond Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 26: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins warms up prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Hammond Stadium on February 26, 2020 in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jake Odorizzi

The Blue Jays have had their eye on Jake Odorizzi as far back as last season when the hurler opted to accept the Twins qualifying offer. It was rumoured that the Jays had made an offer to Odorizzi prior to him accepting the qualifying offer.

The 30-year old struggled last season missing time with a chest contusion and blister issues. The right-hander made just four starts surrendering 10 runs in 13.2 innings of work. In 2019, Odorizzi went 15-7 with a 3.51 earned run average with a 10.1 SO/9 rate and a 3.6 WAR in 30 starts for Minnesota.

In nine MLB seasons with the Royals, Rays and Twins the right-hander sports a 62-56 record with a 3.92 earned run average and a 8.6 SO/9 rate along with a 12.5 WAR in 195 games. Odorizzi was also managed by Charlie Montoyo in Triple-A and then again when Montoyo was the bench coach in Tampa.

Earlier this offseason it was speculated that Odorizzi was seeking a three-year deal in the neighborhood of $36-$42 million. The Jays could backload a possible multi-year pact with Odorizzi seeing they have a huge surplus coming off the books next season with only under $70 million in committed salary for 2022.

The Jays desperately need a legit starter to pitch behind Ryu that isn’t a reclamation project, Odorizzi just may check off that box.

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