MLB: Chicago Cubs Interested in Jake Odorizzi, Alex Cobb?
The Chicago Cubs have already made a big splash this offseason by signing big name free agents and trading All-Star second baseman Starlin Castro. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Cubs are not done dealing as they are interested in a pair of Tampa Bay Rays starters, Jake Odorizzi and Alex Cobb.
Cafardo suggested a trade with the Rays, sending either Odorizzi or Cobb to the Cubs for second baseman Javier Baez or outfielder Jorge Soler. He noted that Baez and Soler are very talented prospects with real power, but the Chicago still need a young pitcher in their rotation that already includes 2015 NL Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, left-handed ace Jon Lester and newly signed veteran workhorse John Lackey.
Tampa Bay is the perfect trade partner for the Cubs as they have a number of young pitchers while the Rays are in need of a young and cheap hitter, which Baez or Soler fit very well. Chicago has signed two free agents in that play the same position as the two young players, Jason Hayward and Ben Zobrist.
In a report from the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays and Cubs have discussed a deal involving the 23-year-old Baez back in December. The rumored deal has Baez going to Tampa Bay with Chicago receiving one reliever and one starter.
The Rays reportedly let the Cubs choose from setup men, Jake McGee and Brad Boxberger while they were willing to part with starters Matt Moore, Odorizzi, Erasmo Ramirez and Drew Smyly. According to the Chicago Cubs Online, Tampa Bay president of baseball operations Matt Silverman confirmed in an interview with the MLB Network that they have talked with the Cubs regarding a possible trade in the future.
"We had lots of conversations and we've had lots of conversations with a number of clubs. But they were more targeted with the Cubs. We have a lot of quality players. We have a lot of quality pitchers, a lot of quality relievers," Silverman said.
"And those guys are in demand. It's just a matter of us trying to figure out if something makes sense. Everyone knows we are looking to upgrade on offense if we can. That's where our focus has been. We're fine, we're good coming into camp with the club that we have," he added.
Mass Live has taken a look at both Odorizzi and Cobb, noting that it makes more sense for the Rays to trade the latter. The 25-year-old Odorizzi is still under control for a few more years and will not hit arbitration until 2017. On the other hand, Cobb is in his second year of arbitration but he is coming off Tommy John surgery, making his value lower.
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