Former Texas Rangers Slugger Signs in Japan For 2024 Season
According to a report that appeared on MLBTradeRumors on Saturday, longtime Major League infielder Rougned Odor has signed in Japan for the 2024 season.
Veteran infielder Rougned Odor has signed with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to Hochi Sports. Odor had been a free agent since he was released by the Padres back in July.
The 29-year-old native of Venezuela has played 10 years in the big leagues already with the Rangers, Yankees, Orioles and Padres. He was most productive with Texas, where he spent 2014-2020. A powerful slugger, he hit 30 or more home runs in three different seasons for Texas, including 33 back in 2016.
Unfortunately, his batting average has continued to trend south over the last several years. He hit .271 back in 2016 but then hit .204 in 2017, .253 in 2018, .205 in 2019, and .167 in 2020.
That ended his time in Texas, but things didn't really improve beyond that. He hit 15 homers for the Yankees in 2021 but only had a .202 average. The Orioles got 13 homers out of him in 2022 but he hit just .207 and he hit .203 with the Padres before being let go.
Because he's just 29, he has a chance to rediscover and re-develop in Japan. If he's able to do that, he could come back to the States in 2025 and find another chance in the big leagues.
Given his pedigree and prior production, Major League teams will likely be monitoring his progress on that front.
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