It’s all over now. The Cubs have finally ended their three month plus search for starting pitching and signed Yu Darvish to a six-year-deal worth $150 mil, with $126 guaranteed. Likely the final big move of the 2018 off-season for Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, however the deal clearly took some nurturing.
And while the Cubs came away with the market’s top free agent arm, reports surfaced less than 24-hours after Darvish signed saying the Cubs were once again linked to Tampa Bay and one of their pitchers. Only this time, it’s not Chris Archer, but Jake Odorizzi who’s reportedly being shopped by the Rays.
Source: The #Rays are 'seriously listening' on Ordorizzi, Colome, and Kiermaier. Confirms report from @TBTimes_Rays and @jcrasnick , no details on which teams are interested outside the Brewers, Twins, and Cardinals
— Sean Sears (@seanrsears) February 5, 2018
Last week, reports from Marc Topkins from the Tampa Bay Times and Jerry Crasnick from ESPN saying that the Rays were listening to offers on a few players – minus Chris Archer. And now, Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo reports that the Rays are looking to unload the soon to be 28-year-old Odorizzi.
“All of the attention has been focused on Chris Archer as a possible trade chip for the Rays, but Odorizzi is getting even more attention on the trade market, according to one major league source. The Orioles, Twins, Brewers, Cubs, and Yankees are among the teams that have made inquiries.
It would appear the Rays are ready to unload him.”
Of course, the Cubs are no longer in pursuit for Odorizzi, with Darvish signing Saturday. But what does it mean for the North-Siders? It sounded like the Brewers were leaning towards Alex Cobb, according to reports that appeared before the weekend.
With teams like the Brewers, Twins, Yankees, Dodgers, and Orioles all still pursuing pitching, it’s likely a deal happens next week. It will all depends on where the remaining top free agent starters like Cobb, Jake Arrieta, and Lance Lynn sign, but with so many teams wanting to add more pitching, Odorizzi being traded is likely more when than if.
