Rangers Considering Odor Extension

In what is becoming a more prevalent practice by MLB teams, the Texas Rangers are reportedly considering a long-term extension for 21-year-old second baseman Rougned Odor despite the fact he's under cheap, cheap team control for a few more seasons and then a couple of more under a reasonable amount in arbitration.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported earlier this week that the Rangers are looking into giving Odor a long-term deal this winter, which is interesting for a few reasons.

First of all, the Rangers aren't going to have a lot of extra money to dole out this winter with several contracts upping their value on the current payroll, like Shin-Soo Choo and Derek Holland. Second, Odor is making the league minimum for three more years before he hits arbitration for two years, so he's set to be had incredibly cheaply. Third, it pretty much officially signifies what we all assumed — Odor has lapped former top prospect in baseball Jurickson Profar in the Rangers' mind, and with good reason.

Odor hit .261 with 16 home runs and 61 RBIs in 120 regular season games this past year, but after serving a month-long demotion to Triple-A, he was recalled in mid-June and was one of the best hitting middle infielders in baseball from that point on.

Aside from his talent on the field, Odor is also becoming a central figure in the clubhouse and appears to be someone possibly being groomed to take over for Adrian Beltre as the heart and soul of the Rangers when the veteran third baseman finally hangs it up, whenever that sad day ends up being.

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