The Texas Rangers have acquired pitcher Jake Odorizzi and cash from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher Kolby Allard, the team announced today.
This is kind of a weird deal. Odorizzi was signed to a two year, $20.25M deal by the Houston Astros prior to the 2021 season, with a 2023 player option at $6.5 million with a $3.25 million buyout. However, the option and buyout would increase based on a points system, and there are potential 2023 performance bonuses if Odorizzi exercises the option based on innings pitched.
I would assume that Odorizzi is exercising his player option, because if he weren’t, there’d be no point in this move being made.