New York Yankees make completely unnecessary trade

The Texas Rangers were set to part ways with Rougned Odor, allowing him to leave the organization for absolutely nothing. He had been designated for assignment, and as is still due $27 million over the next two years, absolutely no one was expected to have any interest. If they did, those teams could look to sign him as a free agent for the league minimum, with the Rangers picking up the rest of his salary.

Apparently, someone forgot to tell the New York Yankees. Even though the Rangers are still picking up the majority of Odor’s salary, they at least got something back for their expenditure.

New York Yankees acquisition of Rougned Odor completely unnecessary

Let’s face it – Odor did not have a large market. He has not produced an OPS+ above league average since 2016. Over the past four years, Odor has hit 88 homers, but has produced a .215/.279/.418 batting line in his 1915 plate appearances, drawing just 134 walks while striking out 514 times.

Odor has not exactly been great defensively either. He has saved one run over that time, and had actually cost the Ranger 18 runs in the past two seasons. Despite the Rangers plans to use him at the hot corner this year, Odor has yet to play any position other than second in the majors.

Perhaps the Yankees feel that his left handed, pull heavy approach and tendency to try to hit home runs will play at Yankee Stadium. Or perhaps Luke Voit‘s injury is worse than New York is letting on, and DJ LeMahieu will need to spend more time at first than anticipated. Maybe the Yankees are looking to turn Odor into a utility player and replace Tyler Wade. Or maybe Brian Cashman was trying to order a dresser at IKEA and ended up with Rougned Odor.

For the Rangers, the fact that they are getting anything at all back for their former second baseman is a surprise. Texas has received outfielders Josh Stowers and Antonio Cabello from the Yankees, with Cabello being announced as an outfielder/catcher, despite never being behind the plate in his career.

Stowers was a former second round pick of the Mariners back in 2018, an intriguing prospect with solid speed. While he may have a questionable arm and his hit tool is somewhat fringy, he has enough upside where Texas may have actually received a surprisingly solid return.

The New York Yankees actually gave up a pair of prospects for Rougned Odor. This was a trade that really did not need to be made.