The Minnesota Twins starter was one of 10 MLB players to receive a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer to stay in Minnesota.
The Minnesota Twins have a lot of work to do this offseason and their biggest priority is to fix the starting rotation. With four of the five starters that began the year in the rotation heading toward free agency, the first decision for the Twins was to decide which one of these starters was worthy of having a qualifying offer extended.
As teams awakened from their October slumber on Monday, the Twins were one of the teams to make some moves as they offered a one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer to Jake Odorizzi.
On the surface, this looks like a great move for the Twins. Odorizzi was one of the strongest pitchers in the rotation last season and 9-2 record and 1.92 ERA in his first 13 starts. While he slumped to a 6-5 record and 4.77 ERA in his final 17 starts, he rebounded with a strong performance in Game 3 of the ALDS, which probably intensified his prospects on the free-agent market.
With the Twins making the moves, they cover themselves in case Odorizzi decides to head somewhere else instead of taking the one-year deal. The issue for the 29-year old is that the team that decides to sign him will owe the Twins draft pick compensation (a selection after the second round unless he receives $50 million in guaranteed money for a pick after the first), an issue that has pushed several free agents out to spring training or even the middle of June over the past couple offseasons.
Odorizzi will now have 10 days to negotiate with the Twins and talk to other clubs to gauge the market before making a decision to accept the offer or test free agency.