Rougned Odor’s persistent offensive struggles have become difficult to overlook, but it doesn’t sound as though there’s much thought to benching him or sending him down to Triple-A for a reset. Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that while veteran Logan Forsythe and journeyman Danny Santana have each outperformed Odor, manager Chris Woodward continued to support his struggling second baseman this week. “I would only make that decision if I thought Rougie was to the point where, ‘I can’t do it anymore.’ If he lost hope,” said Woodward of Odor, who is hitting just .161/.231/.329 through 170 plate appearances. “If he keeps fighting the way he does, I feel like I’ve got to support that.” The fact that Odor inked a seven-year, $49.5MM contract on the heels of a 33-homer campaign in 2016 surely plays into the calculus as well, of course. He’s being paid $7.5MM this season and still owed $36MM from 2020-22 (including a buyout on a 2023 option) under the terms of that ill-fated deal.
More from the division…
- The Rangers and slugger Joey Gallo haven’t touched base about a possible long-term deal since spring of 2018, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports in his latest mailbag piece. At that point, talks with agent Scott Boras didn’t progress. Now in the midst of a breakout season in which he’s playing a surprisingly competent center field (+3 Defensive Runs Saved, +0.6 Ultimate Zone Rating, +2 Outs Above Average), Gallo will of course have a substantially price tag if there’s any interest at all. Grant notes that the two sides should take some time this summer to gauge whether Gallo has any interest in such a deal, though there isn’t necessarily any urgency to get a deal done given that Gallo is controlled through 2022. The 25-year-old is hitting .273/.418/.624 with 15 homers through 208 plate appearances. While his average is being propped up to an extent by a .390 BABIP, Gallo is also walking at a career-high 19.7 percent clip and leading the Majors in hard-hit rate and exit velocity. If anything, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Gallo actually hit for more power even if his average trends downward a ways.
- Outfield prospect Scott Heineman’s rehab assignment has been halted after he experienced renewed discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes. Heineman, 26, hit .295/.355/.429 with 11 homers, 20 doubles, two triples and 16 steals a season ago in Triple-A, perhaps putting himself on the radar for an eventual look at the MLB level. However, he struggled in just six games with Triple-A Nashville on a rehab assignment before being called back. There’s no immediate timeline on when he’ll return to the field, though that determination will presumably come in the near future once he’s further evaluated by the team’s medical staff.
Roughed needs sent down to get it together, 0-4 last night and 4 lob, he’s been needed and not pulling his weight. As for Gallo in this article, Why resign now,he’s not a free agent for3-4 more years, Let’s see how he plays in the new stadium in 2020 before throwing money at him,I’m still not convinced.
Agreed on Gallo. The pitchers will adjust to him. If he can handle it and still perform the way he has this year, then extend him.
Odor is hurting me in fantasy too. I invested a lot in him in the draft.
Cool
Woodward calls him “roughie”. is this as in Orange Roughy the fish?
He swung at some bad pitches last night. I wonder if he’s sinking back to his old ways. He’s too erratic in the field. Agreed, he needs a reset. They may have to eat that money. It’s sad, because he’s obviously trying but sometimes the mental thing gets overwhelming.
It’s painful to watch…..
Gallo first year arbitration. 10-12 mil. Second year 20-22. Third Year 30. Then Free Agent. At 29. 10 Year Boras Deal. . . 345 Mil. !
Puff puff pass
Then he becomes Chris Davis 2.0!
Been a fan of Gallo since his days competing in homerun derbies in the minors against some of the best hitters. Glad he looks to be having a breakout season.
A Boras written Gallo contract reeks of a repeat of Chris Davis’s ill-fated long term contract.
People ragging on Odor are probably the same people who were ragging on Andrus’s deal in the early years when he struggled.
Well one bad at baseball, the other isn’t.
If Odor is wasted money for several years, then finally worth a roster spot, it’s still not much of a win for the Rangers…
But hey, he’s ‘fighting’..
One thing consistent about Odor is consistency- he starts this way every year!
It’s time for his annual short trip to the minors then he’ll snap back.
He is about as frustrating as Martin Perez was – and it took getting let go for Perez to have a wake up call.
Hard to believe Odor is only 25. He’s been in the league for what feels like forever.
Maybe what Odor needs is a trip to the barber – he looks like a hipster or something. Kids are watching. C’mon…
If only the Rangers had a no facial hair policy.
He looks homeless…..
jorge78…..Good one…..It’s pretty noticeable when he come out looking all scraggly nasty beard and never has his shirt top 3 buttoned. Pretty sad that management left him hit the field that way. I have always wondered if management or today’s players read any of these post. I know past players do.
I would run Gallo out to centerfield everyday to see if he can handle it, if so and he’s hitting in the new stadium in 2020 then and only then work out a contract, but one year of good numbers is not cutting it, But hey who’s to say Boras is willing,Boras usually let’s his people hit the market and test it first. Rougned Roogie Rougned needs some one on one with a hitting instructor other than the one he’s using cause it ain’t working, sure we love seeing him homer but he needs to hit for average like Choo and contribute. Our bench is pulling his load right now.
They signed Odur after a single good year. Let’s do the same with Gallo!
I feel sorry for Odor….forever remembered as that guy who punched Bautista and not a very good baseball player.
Gallo IS improving every year and appears to be receptive to coaching and dedicated to improving……Roogie is receptive only when forced!
Mazara seems to be stuck in the same gear every year with little improvement.