Rangers general manager Jon Daniels met with Rougned Odor’s agent this morning, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Negotiations are underway on a potential long-term extension.
The 23-year old Venezuelan native is under team control for three more seasons after this year and just a year away for being arbitration-eligible. The meeting between his reps and Daniels this morning is good news it seems, since as of a few days ago talks hadn’t progressed and the infielder wasn’t offered up any figures. This feels like a relief for both sides, who failed to come to terms last season despite discussing an extension.
Odor slashed a .271/.296/.502 mark last season, and his best years in the batter’s box could still be ahead of him. While his defensive skills are still flimsy at best, earning a defensive runs saved ranking of a well below average minus-9, the second baseman has shown that he can be utilized as a designated hitter as well.
If Texas decides to move ahead with the extension, Odor’s youth and home run count could bring a lucrative return to the team. If he continues on this trajectory, his arbitration value will only increase, so it’s for the front office’s best interest to have this squared away before that time comes and things get messy a la Dellin Betances.