Front Page: ALDS Takeaways, Part 1: Jake Odorizzi Should Be a Priority

[nicksaviking]

 

As of today, the Twins starting 5 is:

 

Berrios

Dobnak

Smeltzer

Thorpe

Stewart

 

Obviously this won't stick, but if they didn't include Graterol, the one guy aside from Berrios who has the upside to be more than a swingman, then they're doing it wrong. 

 

Based on his usage down the stretch, I think he's already ahead of Smeltzer, Thorpe and Stewart in the pitcher hierarchy. That's assuming the front office hasn't decided to move him to the pen full time.

[USAFChief]

 

Obviously this won't stick, but if they didn't include Graterol, the one guy aside from Berrios who has the upside to be more than a swingman, then they're doing it wrong. 

 

Based on his usage down the stretch, I think he's already ahead of Smeltzer, Thorpe and Stewart in the pitcher hierarchy. That's assuming the front office hasn't decided to move him to the pen full time.

I don't think there's any chance Graterol can last a full MLB season as a starter in 2020. He has 223 innings under his belt, total, across 4 seasons. 70 innings this year, total. He likely won't be asked to make 30 plus MLB starts. 

 

[BD57]

Odo's a good #3.  We should definitely want him back.

 

We need a "shut down" #1.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I don't think there's any chance Graterol can last a full MLB season as a starter in 2020. He has 223 innings under his belt, total, across 4 seasons. 70 innings this year, total. He likely won't be asked to make 30 plus MLB starts. 

Yeah, I hope we see him in June or something but it's likely he'll be shut down by September either way.

 

It'd be cool if they could figure out a way to skip him every second or third turn through the rotation, allowing him to last a full season... but I'm not a trainer. That might actually cause more risk of injury than just pitching him, I don't know.

[Mike Sixel]

Odorrizi should be a priority for sure. Hopefully he's the second best pitcher they sign, but I'm guessing he's the best.

 

He pitched the league average number of innings for starts, but much more effectively than league average. He's totally worth three years, fifty million.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Odorrizi should be a priority for sure. Hopefully he's the second best pitcher they sign, but I'm guessing he's the best.

He pitched the league average number of innings for starts, but much more effectively than league average. He's totally worth three years, fifty million.

That's about where I'd put him, too. I'd try for 3/$45m and that might be possible with the QO attached to him but I'd go 3/$50m if need be.

 

As for signing, I also suspect he's the best pitcher they sign but if they find another equally as good, that would be okay.

 

What I suspect will happen is that they will trade for a good starting pitcher, too... but who that might be, impossible to say.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Obviously this won't stick, but if they didn't include Graterol, the one guy aside from Berrios who has the upside to be more than a swingman, then they're doing it wrong. 

 

If they want Graterol to be a starter, long-term (and I believe they do), then he needs a third pitch (changeup). I think he can develop that, but I think he starts the season in Rochester... should, at least. 

[ashbury]

If they want Graterol to be a starter, long-term (and I believe they do), then he needs a third pitch (changeup). I think he can develop that, but I think he starts the season in Rochester... should, at least. 

One scouting report suggests he has fastball, curve and slider, all of which are decently developed at this stage. Not so?

[DocBauer]

If they want Graterol to be a starter, long-term (and I believe they do), then he needs a third pitch (changeup). I think he can develop that, but I think he starts the season in Rochester... should, at least.

Agreed on starting in Rochester. Also agree with others he won't be targeted for a full season of starting due to IP limitations.

 

However, a few skipped starts here and there, maybe with a bullpen appearance to take the place of throwing on the side, designated starter game or two, I think there are ways to monitor him and spread out his usage.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

One scouting report suggests he has fastball, curve and slider, all of which are decently developed at this stage. Not so?

I think the change is to break the opposite way as his slider (and maybe curve, we’ll find out) to pitch effectively against lefties.

 

Whatever that breaking pitch we saw this year was, it was a very good pitch.

[Linus]

They have to start him and I would keep him in the big leagues. 30 starts of 4 innings is 120 innings. Maybe Smeltzer is his piggyback. Complete opposite

[Seth Stohs]

 

One scouting report suggests he has fastball, curve and slider, all of which are decently developed at this stage. Not so?

 

He's got a potentially really good changeup too. Maybe they can be creative with innings and such. 

[specialiststeve]

MOST important is Cole ... give him a blank check.... 6 years 240Mil?? Have to have an ace to get anywhere in the post season. He and Barrios are a good 1/2 puch. Hopefully Odorizzi will want to stay and do a reasonable contract... 3 year deal? 45 mil? Can fill in the 4/5 spot after that. Odo as a 3 is where we need to be if we are "serious" about getting to the Series.