Should the Texas Rangers Listen to Offers on Rougned Odor?

The July 31st trade deadline is looming and the Rangers have still not decided whether they want to buy or sell. If the offer is right should the team part ways with infielder Rougned Odor?

After the 2017 season the Texas Rangers could be headed in a different direction. The team has a roster full of veterans and likely wants to get young controllable players. The Rangers have Rougned Odor who is exactly that, but should they consider moving him if the offer is right?

There have been plenty of terrible contract extensions throughout the years of baseball. Calling Odor’s deal “terrible” is a but harsh at this early of a stage. He’s in just year one of six-year $49.5 million deal.

His steadily decreasing statistics are worrisome and could make him trade bait. This season Odor is hitting .214 with 17 home runs and 40 RBI in 93 games. The 23-year-old is coming off a career year in 2016, but has failed to find any consistency.

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The other problem is that Odor’s plate discipline is non existent. He’s struck out 93 times with just 14 walks all season and is dragging down the Rangers lineup. Currently Odor has a 0.1 WAR and his defense is below average at best.

It has become apparent that Odor is not a “superstar” like the Rangers thought he might become. The Rangers may have pulled the trigger too early last off-season. Waiting to see if Odor could do it again in 2017 might have been a better decision.

It’s too late now and the Rangers must deal with the problem they have created. Luckily for the Rangers, Odor is young enough to have value on the trade market. He has a team friendly deal that any organization could easily take on.

Trading Odor away seems a bit insane especially after he just signed an extension. The more realistic move is that Odor gets sent to the minor leagues. Regardless, Odor should not be playing in Arlington this August.

The trade deadline isn’t for another couple of weeks so the Rangers have time to decide what they want to do. The Rangers should at least listen to offers on Odor and if someone will take him off their hands, do it.

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The fact Odor is still in his first year of his six year deal it’s unlikely he gets moved, but who knows. Baseball is a crazy game and anything can happen. General manager Jon Daniels should listen to offers on Odor and try to get rid of that horrendous contract while he still can.