The Tampa Bay Rays have discussed a contract extension with right-handed pitcher Jake Odorizzi, and there is mutual interest, acccording to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times:
#Rays have made multiyear offer to extend RHP Jake Odorizzi. Agent Jason Wood confirms mutual interest, working on counter offer.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 7, 2015
A first-round pick by the Brewers in 2008, Odorizzi was part of two major trades before finding a home in Tampa. He went to Kansas City as part of the trade that netted the Brewers Zack Greinke in 2010 and then was traded by the Royals to Tampa Bay in the James Shields trade after the 2012 season.
Odorizzi had a breakout season in 2015, his second full season in the majors, posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.15 ERA and 150 strikeouts in 169⅓ innings over 28 starts. That followed up a 2014 season in which he had a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in 168 innings.
Topkin also reports that the Rays have discussed Odorizzi in trades, particularly with the Cubs:
Timing on #Rays offer to Odorizzi is interesting since he also could be part of trade talks w/#Cubs, others to add a hitter.
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 7, 2015
According to Topkin, the talks of extending and trading Odorizzi are mutually exclusive, the Rays would only do one or the other. Additionally, the initial offer to Odorizzi by Tampa Bay included both guaranteed and option years, similar to the deal they gave Matt Moore after the 2011 season.
If Odorizzi can continue his upward trend, it would be wise for the Rays to lock him up sooner rather than later, which is something Tampa Bay has proven to be good at over the years.