We are less than a week into the regular season and the Yankees have already made a trade.
According to Jeff Passan, the Yankees are finalizing a trade to acquire Rangers 2B Rougned Odor. Odor was DFA’d last week by the Rangers
The New York Yankees are finalizing a trade to acquire infielder Rougned Odor from the Texas Rangers, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 6, 2021
The move is surprising. Odor is still owed $27 million from the six year $49.5 million extension he signed with Texas in 2017. The Yankees also do not have a pressing need for a back-up 2B considering they have Tyler Wade on the roster and Derek Dietrich at the Alternate Site. Passan has also reported that the Rangers are expected to absorb “almost the entirety of the $27 million owed.”
The Yankees are reportedly sending two prospects back in return for Odor, but those prospects have not been named yet.
#Yankees are sending 2 prospects to the #Rangers
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) April 6, 2021
It will be interesting to see how the Yankees utilize Odor. He has three 30 home run seasons under his belt and can be a valuable pinch hitter with a lefty swing great for Yankee Stadium. In 2019, he hit .205 with 30 home runs and 77 RBIs and a 77 wRC+. Since he made his debut in 2014, he leads all active 2B with 146 home runs. He has struggled over the past couple of seasons, however. If Odor can work out his recent offensive issues, he can be good depth to have on the bench and a strong lefty option late in the game when the Yankees need a big hit.
