Rougned Odor is poised for a huge breakout season in 2016 after closing the year as one of the league's best-hitting second baseman over the second half of the 2015 season.
Odor made just north of $500,000 last season and will make a similar figure this year. In fact, he's not even eligible for arbitration until 2018 and won't be a free agent until 2021.
There's no question the 22-year-old is a really promising player, and it's understandable as to why the Rangers might've explored the possibility of locking up Odor and buying out his arbitration years, a practice that's becoming more and more common with young star players.
But according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman, Odor and the Rangers have halted contract extension talks for the time being.
rangers tried to lock up budding star rougned odor to long deal. but with decent-sized gap, talks are tabled for now. — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) March 21, 2016
Odor was scorching hot at the plate over the second half last season, but his start to the year was so bad he was demoted, so it's well within reason for the Rangers to be a bit reluctant to meet Odor's asking price, which might be high and based off the way he closed 2015.
