Now that the Astros have agreed to terms with outfielder Michael Brantley, Joel Blank questions where the Astros will place him in the batting order. Do the Astros have a new leadoff hitter?
MLB Network's Jon Heyman is reporting that starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi and the Astros have agreed on a 2-year year contract with a 3rd-year player option. Odorizzi is 30 years old with a 3.92 career ERA. This signing seems to indicate Framber Valdez will miss significant time with a fractured left ring finger. But overall, the Astros rotation is looking good with the addition of Odorizzi, and hopefully Valdez will return to the rotation at some point this season.
Full terms on Odorizzi deal aren't known but with incentives he has a chance to make $30M over 2 years that would include a buyout on the 3rd year player option #Astros
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2021
While exact Odorizzi contract terms aren't known, it appears that with the creativity of the deal, which includes a 3rd year player option, the Astros are still leaving themselves a little room under the $210M luxury tax threshold
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 6, 2021