MLB trade rumors: Twins, Orioles looking at Rays’ Jake Odorizzi, Astros’ Collin McHugh

There are teams around the majors that are interested in acquiring Rays starter Jake Odorizzi or Astros starter Collin McHugh, sources told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Among the teams looking at the pair of right-handers are the Twins and the Orioles, Rosenthal’s sources said. Rosenthal says the Yankees also have checked in with the Rays about Odorizzi “at various points,” but their intentions on pursuing a deal are unknown at the moment.

Rosenthal says Odorizzi and McHugh may be dealt for a couple of reasons. The 27-year-old Odorizzi has been considered “one of several Rays who might be dealt in payroll-cutting moves, along with closer Alex Colome, designated hitter-outfielder Corey Dickerson and outfielder Denard Span.” As for the 30-year-old McHugh, he is viewed as the Astros’ sixth starter in their loaded rotation and they may want the “payroll flexibilty“ that could come with trading him. Both are still awaiting salary-arbitration hearings.

However, teams like the Twins and the Orioles are considering Odorizzi or McHugh while also trying to figure out if they want to add a free-agent pitcher as well to their rotations. The Twins have been a suitor for top free-agent starter Yu Darvish, but they just lost ace Ervin Santana for 10-12 weeks with a broken hand, making their need for a pitcher even greater. The Orioles need another arm to depend on since they only have two consistent starters in Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy.

The positives of acquiring either Odorozzi or McHugh are that they are both have two years of control, their salaries are still projected to be low and they are solid pitchers. Odorizzi has posted a 40-37 mark with a 3.82 ERA in 127 appearances (124 starts) in his five seasons in Tampa. McHugh has gone 48-28 with a 3.70 ERA in 102 starts in four seasons in Houston.