Pitcher Jake Odorizzi is “strongly considering” accepting his qualifying offer from the Minnesota Twins, according to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal.
As Rosenthal explains, Odorizzi would earn a one-year salary of $17.8 million next season and have a chance to stand out more in next year’s free agent pitching class, presumably headlined by Trevor Bauer, James Paxton, Marcus Stroman and others.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi reported Wednesday that the Toronto Blue Jays met with Odorizzi’s representatives on Tuesday and the team would have “legitimate interest” in the 29-year-old righty if he becomes available on the open market.
No matter what happens, Odorizzi is due for a substantial pay bump. He earned $9.5 million in 2019 and has totalled just under $21.5 million in six MLB seasons.
Odorizzi was a first-time all star in 2019, posting a 3.51 ERA and 178 strikeouts in 159 innings for Minnesota. He has until 5 p.m. ET to decide one way or another about the Twins’ qualifying offer.
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