Texas Rangers: Was Extending Rougned Odor The Wrong Move?

One of the Rangers many off-season transactions was extending second baseman Rougned Odor to a long-term deal. He’s struggled heavily in 2017, and should the Rangers be worried going forward?

After a career year in 2016, the Texas Rangers decided to give Rougned Odor a long-term extension. The deal was a six-year extension that is worth $49.5 million and lasts through the 2022 season.

At first it seemed like a steal for Texas, but Odor has failed to find consistency this season. Through 35 games Odor is hitting .194 with six home runs and 16 RBI. He has struck out 31 times with just six walks.

Last season Odor hit .271 with 33 home runs and 88 RBI in 150 games. His strikeout to walk ratio was still horrendous, but when you’re producing it’s not a big deal. This season is a different story as Odor can’t seem to find the same consistent approach.

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The good news is that Odor is 23 years old, and has room to grow. He’s a relatively young player, and the Rangers know he’s a work in progress. A long-term deal should not be something that is just handed out to inexperienced players.

It’s hard to understand why the organization would give Odor such a long deal after one breakout season. Obviously they thought this trend would continue, but now might be stuck with a strikeout machine at second base.

To be fair, it’s still just May, and Odor could turn around his season. He’s been hard to watch this season, and the Rangers desperately need his bat. To be honest, this looks like it was the wrong move for Texas, but luckily it’s not a huge deal from the money side of it.

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Odor won’t even make over $10 million a season until the 2021 season. This seems like it was the wrong move for Texas, but time will tell if Jon Daniels and his crew made the right decision.