The New York Yankees are taking a chance on a former top prospect and multi-time 30 home run hitter — and a former Yankee.
On Friday, the Yankees agreed to a minor-league deal with Rougned Odor, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Odor will have an opt out after July 1 if he wants to head back to free agency.
Odor, 30, spent the 2023 season with the San Diego Padres. He struggled in his first and only year in San Diego, as he slashed .203/.299/.355 with four home runs and 18 runs batted in.
The Padres designated Odor for assignment in July.
appearing in 114 games and hitting .259 with an OPS of .698. Then, he had an even better 2015, hitting .261 in 120 games with a .781 OPS.
In 2016, Odor fully broke out, slashing .271/.296/.502 with 33 home runs, 88 RBIs, 33 doubles and 14 stolen bases in 150 games played. He had another 30 home run season in 2017, and did it again in 2019 while also driving in a career-high 93 runs batted in.
Just before the 2021 season, Odor didn’t make the Rangers’ Opening Day roster and was designated for assignment. Before hitting waivers, though, he was traded to the Yankees for outfielders Josh Stowers and Antonio Cabello.
The Yankees currently have Gleyber Torres as their everyday second baseman, and they recently added Jon Berti to add depth throughout the infield. Odor will hope to impress in the minor leagues and earn himself a call-up at some point this season.
