Texas Rangers Use Rougned Odor as Trade Bait to Get Pitching?

It’s going to be an interesting off-season as the Texas Rangers will try to fill the holes in their starting rotation. If the free agent market looks bleak could we see the team trade Odor for pitching?

As of right now the Texas Rangers have lefty Cole Hamels under contract and a team option on Martin Perez. After that they have three open spots in their rotation, and should be looking for young controllable arms this winter.

The Rangers locked up 23-year-old Rougned Odor to a six-year $49.5 million deal this off-season. He struggled heavily in 2017, and the Rangers could be thinking about using youngster Willie Calhoun at second long-term.

It’s a bit of a stretch to think the Rangers would trade Odor after one bad season, but it is possible. The team friendly contract and potential could interest multiple teams if the Rangers were open to trading the young slugger.

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In return the Rangers could get one if not two young controllable starters they could mix into their rotation long-term. Elite pitching comes at a hefty price, and many long-term veteran contracts don’t pan out in the MLB.

The Rangers could potentially avoid that situation and trade Odor for cheap controllable pitching to rebuild their staff. Yes, it’s difficult to give up a talented player like Odor, but Calhoun could be ready to play every day next season.

It’s not the only option the Rangers have this off-season, but it should be considered. Finding young controllable pitching is difficult, but young sluggers like Odor are easily replaceable. The Rangers will have their table filled with options this winter.

It’s going to be an interesting off-season as the Texas Rangers will try to fill the holes in their starting rotation. If the free agent market looks bleak could we see the team trade Odor for pitching?

More from Nolan Writin'

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