Skip to content

Rangers GM: Odor should expect competition at 2B if struggles continue

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Texas Rangers appear to be running out of patience with struggling second baseman Rougned Odor.

General manager Jon Daniels revealed Saturday the team has to explore all options at the position moving forward despite the $35 million remaining on Odor's deal through the 2022 campaign.

"The contract aside, he has talent and has demonstrated that it plays at this level," Daniels said, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. "But we are entering a period where we have some guys who overlap from a positional standpoint. That's just a reality.

"It's not intended to be a motivator or a punishment. It's just where we are. We expect to have more competition at several positions."

Daniels believes Odor has to find more consistency in his game to remain an everyday player.

"I know unequivocally how much he cares and how much work he's put in," Daniels said. "I genuinely think he's trying. We've seen spurts where he has been more successful than others. It's grinded on him both mentally and physically.

"Ultimately, going forward, big ups and downs don't work from a team standpoint, not when you are in the lineup every day."

Odor, 25, is set to make over $12 million per season in the next two years with a $13.5-million club option that includes a $3-million buyout in 2023. He signed a six-year extension in 2017.

Although he could end up reaching the 30 home run mark for the third time in the last four years with a big September, Odor enters Sunday's action with a dismal .197/.273/.406 slash line.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox