Odor won't make Rangers' roster for opener

The Rangers informed infielder Rougned Odor that he would not make the Opening Day roster, president of baseball operations Jon Daniels announced on Monday.

Odor had been the Rangers’ second baseman since 2014, totaling 858 big league games, but the organization told him this past winter to prepare for a utility infielder role going into the ‘21 season. He’s struggled the last few seasons, including striking out 178 times in 581 plate appearances in ‘19. While he tied for the team lead in homers last season (10) with Joey Gallo, he slashed .167/.209/.413 in 38 games.

“All these decisions are challenging, in particular, with somebody like [Odor], who has been with the organization since he was 16 years old,” Daniels said. “We didn't think it was in his best interest or our best interest to kind of force the issue into a bench role.

“So we made the decision to make the move now. A ton of respect for him as a man, first and foremost, as a person, as a teammate. He was never an issue. We want to make that very clear. This is a baseball decision.”

In 2017, Odor signed a six-year, $49.5 million contract extension with the Rangers. He is still guaranteed just north of $24 million over the next two seasons.

Both Daniels and general manager Chris Young said they did not envision Odor in an everyday role for Texas this season. After Nick Solak took over most of the starts at second base in camp, Odor transitioned to compete for a roster spot at third base. While he looked good defensively, the organization wanted more consistency from him in the batter’s box.

His approach at the plate, combined with the Rangers’ desire to mix in younger players in the infield, were factors in the decision.

“Projecting out for performance, and while he was making every effort there, ultimately, we had to make a call whether we felt that would turn into production at the plate,” Daniels said. “I'm hopeful that it will in time, and then hopefully, he gets another opportunity with a team. We weren't prepared to play it out.”

With Odor not making the roster and longtime shortstop Elvis Andrus dealt to the A’s this winter, the Rangers are fully embracing a new era of baseball. Pitcher Matt Bush -- who was just informed that he made the team -- is now the last remaining member of the 2016 team that won the American League West crown. Odor was also the player with the most club service time, a title that now goes to Gallo.

“This is a year about answering some questions to help us kind of go into, from a planning standpoint, 2022 and beyond,” Daniels said. “Obviously, we want to compete, we want to get the most out of this group. But we are understanding where we're at. And with that comes giving opportunities to other players.”

“It's kind of a new start to the guys that are in that locker room,” added manager Chris Woodward. “There was a lot of leadership from [Andrus and Odor] and in how to prepare how to play the game, the attitude in the clubhouse and everything that goes with being a Major Leaguer. But I think it is the start of something new, with a new group.”

With Woodward informing veteran infielders and non-roster invitees Brock Holt and Charlie Culberson that they made the team, third base will likely fall to one or both of them in the early parts of the season. Holt has said that he’s happy to mentor the younger infielders if that’s the role the club needs him to fill.

Daniels mentioned that prospects and Minor Leaguers like Anderson Tejeda, Andy Ibáñez, Yonny Hernandez, Sherten Apostel and Josh Jung may factor in at third later in the season.

“I don't know if it's going to be a strict platoon,” Woodward said. “They're gonna obviously play there, [Culberson and Holt]. I think it opens up possibilities as the season goes on with some of our younger guys if they can make it up here, if they're ready and provide a landing forum. It would have been hard to do that otherwise.”