Ex-Yankees Slugger Lands With Japanese Club After Rollercoaster Season
One former member of the New York Yankees is joining Nippon Professional Baseball.
Former Yankees slugger Rougned Odor has bounced around over the last few years and now reportedly is signing with the Yomiuri Giants of NPB, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.
"(Rougned) Odor signing with Yomiuri Giants," Heyman said.
Odor made his big league debut with the Texas Rangers in 2014 and spent the first seven years of his career in town. The 29-year-old at one point was one of the top slugging second basemen in baseball. He clubbed 33 home runs in 2016 and followed it up with 30 more long balls in 2017. He had a down year in 2018 but clubbed 30 more home runs in 2019.
He has bounced around the league since leaving the Rangers after the 2020 campaign. Odor spent the 2021 season with the Yankees, the 2022 season with the Baltimore Orioles, and the 2023 campaign with the San Diego Padres.
The 29-year-old hasn't been able to find his footing and while he still has some pop in his bat, he strikes out a ton and doesn't consistently get on base. He is just 29 years old so if he can shine with the Giants, maybe could see him back in Major League Baseball at some point.
He likely will have a solid opportunity with the Giants so hopefully, he can get back on track and shine. In 10 seasons, he clubbed 178 home runs and drove in 568 runs.
