Jake Odorizzi found a new home Saturday, agreeing to two-year deal with a player option with the Houston Astros. This agreement comes days after Framber Valdez fractured a finger, sidelining him indefinitely. Odorizzi was one of the more dependable starting pitchers on the free-agent market, and he adds to the Astros’ starting pitching depth in the absence of Valdez.
Right-hander Jake Odorizzi and the Houston Astros are in agreement on a two-year deal with a player option, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. The last big free agent is off the board.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 6, 2021
Odorizzi’s Career
Odorizzi first came into the league in 2012 with the Kansas City Royals. It was a brief, two start cup of coffee. In the following offseason, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. Odorizzi spent the next five seasons of his career with the Rays. In 2018, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins, where he spent the last three years of his career.
2019 was a career year, as he earned his only career All-Star nod on his way to a 15-7 record. He posted a 3.51 ERA in 159 innings. He helped lead the Twins to their first division title since 2010, that season.
While his team had similar success in 2020, Odorizzi did not. Due to three separate injured list stints, he was limited to four starts. He missed time due to a back strain, an abdominal contusion, and a blister. These starts spanned 13 2/3 innings, and he gave up 10 runs in those innings. Odorizzi is looking to bounce back in 2021 in a big way.
Overall, Odorizzi is 62-56 with a 3.92 ERA in 1,042 career innings. He has only pitched over 170 innings once in his career, but he has taken the post 28 or more times in six seasons. The veteran doesn’t go deep into games but he pitches dependable innings.
On To Houston
Jake Odorizzi will look to bounce back from a rough 2020 as well as aid his team to the postseason. The Astros already have a good rotation, and he can round out the staff with Valdez out. Odorizzi is entering his age-31 season and figures to be an important part of this Astros staff as they look to return to the postseason.
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