Texas Rangers: This trade could finally shed Odor’s contract

The Texas Rangers are no strangers to salary dump trades.

Just recently, they made one with the Oakland A’s, sending Elvis Andrus out west for Khris Davis, Jonah Heim and Dane Acker.

In the trade, Texas was able to shed Andrus’ contract while picking up the expiring tab remaining on Davis’ pact.

As a result, the Rangers will have a mere $32 million committed in salaries going into 2022, which will position the organization well for pursuits of major free agents come next off-season.

The Texas Rangers might want to consider another bad salary swap.

With a deep free agent pool expected to hit the market, why not try to give yourself even more financial flexibility by dumping off other contracts currently tied to payroll?

That’s where the New York Mets can provide an assist!

Recently, we examined a trade for J.D Davis, which would be a pre-emptive move on the Texas Rangers’ part, rather than one with much strategic value.

These are a different set of circumstances, though, as the two teams will exchange weighty salary figures in this hypothetical scenario.

And yes, in this swap, Rougned Odor and his burdensome extension pack their bags and head north for the Big Apple.

According to SNY’s Andy Martino, the Mets are looking to trade the contracts of relievers Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia.

The Texas Rangers and New York Mets could benefit each other financially.

Betances’ deal comes in at $6 million for 2021, while Familia’s comes in at $11.7 million. Both are set to become free agents at the conclusion of the season.

As for Odor, his six-year, $49.5 million extension comes due at the end of 2022 with a team option for 2023 (which probably won’t get picked up).

The 27-year-old second baseman has some pop in his bat, but might benefit from a change of scenery considering his relatively young age and chance to turn his career around.

Making just $8.5 million per year in terms of average annual value, the Rangers would be picking up $10 million more in 2021, but shedding Odor’s final $8.5 million in 2022.

In this deal, the Rangers would send Odor to the Mets and take on Betances and Familia in return, while also sending some cash to help balance things out.

On the Mets’ side of things, they get a power-hitting infielder with potential to revive his career, while shedding the more expensive salaries of Jeurys Familia and Dellin Betances in 2021 to aid their pursuit of further roster upgrades.

For the Texas Rangers, they finally manage to land a taker for Rougned Odor’s contract at the price of assuming Betances and Familia, while also knowing both relievers could be flipped for prospects at the deadline if they pitch well.

Additionally, Betances and Familia’s contracts expire at year’s end, meaning if they perform poorly in Arlington, the Rangers would still be off the hook after 2021 without hindering their future aspirations.

This is a salary swap made in heaven, if you ask us. Let’s make it happen!