Jake Odorizzi Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation Surrounding Rays P

Tampa Bay Rays starter Jake Odorizzi has become one of the hottest names on the trade market in recent weeks.

Continue for Updates.

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Cardinals Reportedly Discussing Odorizzi Trade

Saturday, Dec. 19 

Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reported the Cardinals have had trade talks about acquiring a starting pitcher, and noted Odorizzi is from the St. Louis area.  

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Odorizzi Would Upgrade Dodgers Rotation

Friday, Dec. 18

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Dodgers have engaged in talks with Tampa Bay about the right-hander.

The 25-year-old was 9-9 in 2015 with a 3.35 ERA and 150-46 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 169.1 innings.

Although he has shown signs that he can win at the major league level, Odorizzi is just 20-24 in 65 starts. However, he does sport a career ERA of 3.77.

He is perhaps best known in baseball circles for being part of a trade that helped turned the World Series champion Kansas City Royals around. Odorizzi, along with prized minor league outfielder Wil Myers and pitcher Mike Montgomery, went to Tampa after spending 2012 in the Royals organization, while Kansas City received starter James Shields and star closer Wade Davis.

Although Odorizzi has yet to take the leap and become a No. 1 starter, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark shared a few stats that show Odorizzi can be a good pitcher:

The Dodgers need to find someone to replace Greinke, who opted out of his contract and signed a six-year, $206.5 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

While no one can replace Greinke's 1.66 ERA and 5-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, Odorizzi is entering his prime and would be considerably cheaper.

If the team cannot reach a deal for Odorizzi, Heyman said the Dodgers have other options: "The alternatives for the Dodgers would appear to be Mike Leake, Wei-Yin Chen, Yovani Gallardo, Ian Kennedy, Scott Kazmir (free agents) or Jose Fernandez (via trade)."