Rougned Odor rejects Rangers’ extension

Extension talks appear to have stalled between Rougned Odor and the Texas Rangers as a report has come out that the team’s second baseman has turned down an extension offer worth an estimated $35 million over six years.

The report—which comes from Jon Heyman of Fan Rag Sports—draws comparison to the contract extension worked out between Gregory Polanco and the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this season.

“Odor and Polanco have the same agent – Beverly Hills Sports Council – but Polanco’s agent Rick Thurman only did that deal since Polanco insisted on it.”

Now that Polanco is having an amazing breakout season, Thurman would likely caution against such a team-friendly deal even more vigorously.

Odor has shown a willingness to negotiate a contract extension early in his career, but, since there is no true need for one, it would likely have to be the right deal from the player’s perspective. Odor’s contract is renewable this offseason and arbitration-eligible through the 2020 season. That means Odor is under team control for this season plus four more.

By the time his contract expires, Odor will be entering his age-27 season. While decline years typically begin at 28 or 29 years of age, the may leave little incentive for the Rangers to commit payment to their young, controllable asset as well.

That being said, the arbitration process can be tricky for a team and player to navigate while maintaining a good relationship. Teams and players across the league have gotten together in recent years to buy-out remaining arbitration years so as to avoid that process. However, signing away his first free agent-eligible seasons this early in his career might not be in Odor’s best interest unless it’s the right deal.