Marlins exploring pitching market; have interest in Jake Odorizzi

The Miami Marlins are scouring the pitching market, and among their targets is Rays’ right-hander Jake Odorizzi, per MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. As Morosi reports, the Marlins have had “preliminary contact” with Tampa Bay regarding the burgeoning 26-year-old.

Odorizzi is certainly a tantalizing target, as he has followed up a breakout 2015 season (3.6 WAR) by posting a 110 ERA+, 97 FIP-, 8.75 K/9, and 2.88 BB/9 over 84.1 innings. He has been a bright spot on a somewhat disappointing Rays’ rotation.

Of course, the Rays are currently occupying the AL East’s cellar, possibly pushing them to sell this summer. And with a seemingly never-ending stock of young pitchers, the club is better set than most to part ways with an arm of Odorizzi’s talent. Odorizzi is also set to reach arbitration for the first time this winter, so this may be an opportune time to maximize their return on Odorizzi while he is still relatively cheap and under club control.

The Marlins are likely just conducting due diligence here, as they gear up for trade season. Currently leading the NL Wild Card race, Miami will probably be buying this summer barring a collapse over the next month. The rotation has been largely mediocre behind Jose Fernandez, especially with the disappointing performance of high-priced offseason addition Wei-Yin Chen.