Report: Rougned Odor agrees to six-year, $49.5M extension with Rangers
The Texas Rangers and second baseman Rougned Odor have agreed to a six-year extension worth $49.5 million, reports Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. The new deal will also reportedly include one option that would push the total value well past $50M.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported that the two sides were “increasingly optimistic” a deal would be completed before the end of spring training. If not finalized, it appears that will be a mere formality in the coming days.
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Reports have indicated Odor was seeking a six-year deal worth around $52.5M, which is the bar that was set by Jason Kipnis’ extension with the Cleveland Indians following the 2014 season. It’s also suggested the six-year, $53.5M extension Kevin Kiermaier received from the Rays was a new blueprint for the deal. If so, the reported agreement appears to be a compromise of sorts, with Odor getting the years and the team guaranteeing slightly less money while dangling an option that should give Odor a little more security.
Odor looks like a good young player for the Rangers to invest in. He’s steadily improved since debuting in MLB at age 20. Now 23, he’s coming off a true breakout season that saw him hit .271/.296/.502 with 33 homers, 88 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
Odor will be the centerpiece of the Rangers lineup for years to come, which is important for them to have knowing that this can’t be Adrian Beltre’s team forever.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
