Free agent slugger and longtime Texas Rangers mainstay Rougned Odor has signed in Japan for the 2024 season.
According to MLBTradeRumors, longtime Major League infielder Rougned Odor has signed with Japan for the 2024 season.
The Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball have signed veteran infielder Rougned Odor, according to Hochi Sports. Odor had been a free agent since July, when the Padres released him.
The 29-year-old Venezuela native has already spent ten years in the major leagues with the Rangers, Yankees, Orioles, and Padres. He was most productive in Texas, where he spent 2014–2020. A powerful hitter, he hit 30 or more home runs in three different seasons for Texas, including 33 in 2016.
Unfortunately, his batting average has continued to fall over the last few years. He hit.271 in 2016, but then hit.204 in 2017,.253 in 2018,.205 in 2019, and.167 in 2020.
That marked the end of his time in Texas, but things did not improve significantly after that. He hit 15 home runs for the Yankees in 2021 but had a.202 batting average. The Orioles got 13 home runs out of him in 2022, but he only hit.207, and he hit.203 with the Padres before being released.
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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