UPDATE: Here's the latest on the trade front involving these two clubs:
Lots of buzz out there that Dodgers could turn to Andrew Friedman's old team, TB, for pitching. More speculation about Odorizzi than others.
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 17, 2015
#Rays may be talking about Odorizzi with #Dodgers as @JonHeymanCBS reported, but I get sense from several sources that no trade is imminent
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 17, 2015
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After striking out multiple times this offseason, especially at the MLB Winter Meetings, the Los Angeles Dodgers are seemingly looking to rebound. The latest rumors find the team is exploring a trade for a starting pitcher.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports is reporting the Dodgers are in talks with the Tampa Bay Rays regarding starter Jake Odorizzi. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously held the same job with the Rays, which is where he acquired Odorizzi, 25, from the Royals in the deal that send James Shields and Wade Davis to Kansas City.
The right-hander is 20-23 with a 3.75 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 346 strikeouts in 66 games (367 innings) in three seasons with the Rays. He's an attractive trade candidate because he's a capable starter under club control through the 2019 season.
Los Angeles is reportedly eyeing a number of arms on the open market as well, including Mike Leake, Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda following the loss of Zack Greinke as well as the current issue surrounding Hisashi Iwakuma, as the team is reportedly uncomfortable with his medical records after agreeing to terms on a three-year deal. They've also been at the forefront of the trade rumors surrounding Marlins starter Jose Fernandez.
The Rays were previously rumored to be in trade talks with the Chicago Cubs regarding starters Matt Moore, Alex Cobb and Drew Smyly. They're also said to be open to moving relievers Brad Boxberger and Jake McGee. It's clear Tampa Bay is willing to make trades, and after the Dodgers acquired three attractive prospects in Frankie Montas, Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson yesterday, it's possible the Rays have further interest in what Los Angeles has to offer.
Tampa Bay has a surplus of starters, as they're projected to head into 2016 with Chris Archer, Erasmo Ramirez, Odorizzi, Smyly, Cobb and Moore in their starting rotation. They can certainly afford to move one of them (although probably not Archer) and improve other areas of their roster or add to their farm system. The Rays already traded starter Nathan Karns to the Seattle Mariners earlier in the offseason and added more pieces to their MLB roster.
Stay tuned for updates as both of these clubs could be poised to make more moves this offseason as they prepare for 2016.
