Texas Rangers and Rougned Odor agree to contract extension

After a breakout season in 2016, the Texas Rangers are committing to Rougned Odor long-term.

Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor emerged on the national scene last year when he punched Toronto Blue Jays outfield Jose Bautista in the face after a takeout slide during a double play. But that makes it easy to overlook what Odor did on the field otherwise last season, as he posted a .271/.296/.502 slash-line with 33 home runs, 88 RBI, 89 runs scored and 14 stolen bases over 150 games.

The Rangers clearly expect more of the same from the 23-year old going forward. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports was first to report agreement on six-year, $49.5 million contract extension between the Rangers and Odor.

The deal will buy out all three of Odor’s arbitration years (2018-2020), and at least his first two years of free agency. Heyman also reported a seventh year option in the deal, which would then keep Odor with the Rangers through the 2023 season and age-29.

The Rangers recently reached agreement on a contract extension with backup catcher Robinson Chirinos, while also reportedly tabling extension talks with starting catcher Jonathan Lucroy for the time being. Opening Day starter Yu Darvish is also possibly in line for a contract extension, but there has been no movement from the Rangers on that yet.

Odor is clearly seen as a big part of the Rangers’ present and future, due in part to his youth and the premium position he plays. Getting him signed long-term was obviously a top priority for general manager Jon Daniels, above Lucroy and Darvish.

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A full repeat of his 2016 offensive production is vulnerable to Odor’s free swinging ways (3.44 pitches seen per plate appearance; just 19 walks in 632 plate appearances), which adds some downside risk for 2017. But a hitter’s approach at the plate often evolves with age, and Odor will not even play his 400th major league game until sometime early this season.