The New York Yankees are taking a chance on a former top prospect and multi-time 30 home run hitter — and a former Yankee.
On Friday, the Yankees agreed to a minor-league deal with Rougned Odor, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Odor will have an opt out after July 1 if he wants to head back to free agency.
Rougie Odor agrees to minor league contract with Yankees with an opt out after July 1
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) April 5, 2024
Odor, 30, spent the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. He struggled in his first and only year in San Diego, as he slashed .203/.299/.355 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in.
The Padres designated Odor for assignment in July.
Odor was yet to find a home for 2024, but on Friday, he got an opportunity with the Yankees.
Odor signed with the Texas Rangers as an international free agent in 2011. He worked his way up the minor leagues, and was ranked as high as the Rangers’ No. 2 prospect in 2014, per MLB Pipeline.
Odor made his debut in 2014 with Texas, appearing in 114 games and hitting .259 with an OPS of .698. Then, he had an even better 2015, hitting .261 in 120 games with a .781 OPS.
In 2016, Odor fully broke out, slashing .271/.296/.502 with 33 home runs, 88 RBIs, 33 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 150 games played. He had another 30 home run season in 2017, and did it again in 2019 while also driving in a career-high 93 runs batted in.
Just before the 2021 season, Odor didn’t make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster and was designated for assignment. Before hitting waivers, though, he was traded to the Yankees for outfielders Josh Stowers and Antonio Cabello.
Odor appeared in 102 games with the Yankees in 2021, hitting .202 with 15 home runs and a .665 OPS. He was DFA’d by New York in November.
Odor spent the 2022 season with the Baltimore Orioles, before winding up in San Diego last year.
In January of this year, he signed a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball. However, he was released after he left the team three days before Opening Day. He hit .176 in 12 games.
Now, Odor is getting another opportunity in Major League Baseball and another opportunity with the Yankees. The 10-year veteran has mostly played second base in his MLB career, but also has experience at third base, first base and in the outfield.
The Yankees currently have Gleyber Torres as their everyday second baseman, and they recently added Jon Berti to add depth throughout the infield. Odor will hope to impress in the minor leagues and earn himself a call-up at some point this season.
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