Mets: Three sneaky free agent moves that can improve the Mets in 2021

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 12: James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox throws a baseball during the game against the Detroit Tigers at at Comerica Park on August 12, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 12: James McCann #33 of the Chicago White Sox throws a baseball during the game against the Detroit Tigers at at Comerica Park on August 12, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox defeated the Tigers 7-5. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
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Mets
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – AUGUST 15: Jake Odorizzi #12 of the Minnesota Twins pitches against the Kansas City Royals on August 15, 2020 in game one of a doubleheader at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

Starting Pitcher Jake Odorizzi

The Mets are going to need multiple arms to fill out their starting rotation next season. At this point, it would only be safe to pencil in Jacob deGrom and David Peterson in rotation slots, with Noah Syndergaard returning when he is healthy after undergoing Tommy John Surgery earlier this spring. One potential arm that the Mets could show interest in this winter is current Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi.

The 30-year old Odorizzi hasn’t had the best of luck this season as he has battled a wide variety of injuries and his time on the Injured List has certainly affected his performance on the mound as he’s only pitched 13.1 innings this season and not proven as effective in year’s past. However, Odorizzi’s track record is a reason the Mets should be interested this offseason, as his 13 innings pitched this season is not entirely representative of the pitcher the Mets would be getting.

The former All-Star has a career 3.92 ERA at the Major League level in 192 career starts and has averaged 30 starts a season since his first full season in the majors in 2014. Let’s not also forget to mention Odorizzi’s really good career WHIP of 1.24. It’s also interesting to note that since Odorizzi’s debut in 2012, his average fastball velocity has increased every season, and this season his average fastball topped out at 93 MPH.

While Odorizzi has battled a wide variety of ailments this season, he has proven in the past he is somebody that can take the ball every fifth day and provide you with quality results. He doesn’t walk very many batters and doesn’t allow many home runs either. Odorizzi could slot nicely as a third or fourth starter in the Mets rotation next season and is a prime bounce-back candidate after an injury-shortened 2020 regular season.

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