Report: Rays' Odorizzi, Colome popular in trade talks
With the Tampa Bay Rays rolling out a plan to cut payroll this offseason, moving high-salaried players appears to be a priority, as Jake Odorizzi and Alex Colome are drawing the most interest in trade conversations, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.
The Rays are definitely going to make trades this offseason, per Topkin, but who will be moved remains a mystery.
Right-handed starter Odorizzi is entering his second year of arbitration and is projected to get $6.5 million, per MLB Trade Rumors, while right-handed closer Colome, in his first arbitration year, is projected to get $5.5 million. Topkin also lists outfielder Corey Dickerson - slated to get $6.4 million - as a trade candidate.
Depending on the returns from those easier-to-move names, the Rays could be tempted to shift into full rebuild as well, by moving ace Chris Archer or franchise cornerstone Evan Longoria.
In 143 1/3 innings in 2017, the 27-year-old Odorizzi posted a 4.14 ERA and 5.43 FIP. Meanwhile, the 28-year-old Colome put up a 3.24 ERA and 3.37 FIP while leading MLB with 47 saves. Colome has already been tied to the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Rays finished 2017 at 80-82, good for third in the AL East, well out of playoff contention and 13 games back of the division-leading Boston Red Sox.