Odor’s poor performance means improve now or accept new role
DALLAS — At the heart of the Texas Rangers’ efforts to construct a new culture is the idea of “meritocracy.”
Formally, Webster’s defines it as a “system, organization or society in which people are chosen and moved into positions of success, power and influence based on their demonstrated abilities and merit.”
Fortunately for the Rangers, who may be more visual learners, they have a tangible example to look at this spring: whatever happens with Rougned Odor. For all the talk about earning playing time and meritocracy, the handling of Odor’s role will speak to the concept more than anything the Rangers can say.
They get to start proving their point Monday when the team has its first full-squad workout of 2021, which will also be the first time the team gets a look at Odor in 2021. Literally. After being told that his role as a starter was no longer guaranteed and that he needed to be prepared to do some work at other positions, namely third base, Odor worked out privately during the offseason. He did not join any of the Rangers’ small-group workouts. He has worked out informally in Arizona the last couple of days.
“He knows what he’s got to do,” president of baseball opera
tions Jon Daniels said Sunday. “I’m looking forward to seeing where he’s at.”
“He believes he’s a second baseman, and he believes he’s an All-star-caliber second baseman,” manager Chris Woodward said. “In his mind, he doesn’t want to move. I understand that. As a competitor, you have pride. I know it’s hurt his pride a little bit to even be mentioned playing another position. That’s for him to earn back. That’s where we are. That’s the state of our team.”
One question: How does he “earn it back?”
Because the numbers say that, despite getting ample playing time, he has been one of the least valuable players in the majors in both two- and fouryear increments. It houses him with the aged and those privileged by long-term contract obligations. His 0.1 WAR over the last two years is the ninth-lowest among players with at least 600 plate appearances. The other nine guys were on average 34 years and two months old as of Sunday. Odor, who posted a .167 batting average and .623 OPS in 2020, turned 27 less than three weeks ago.
Over the last four years, among players with at least 1,500 plate appearances, only future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols, now 41 and a shell of himself, has been worse. Pujols has had the protection of a 10-year contract, which expires after 2021. Odor? He’s had the protection of his own long-term deal, a six-year contract he signed before 2017. Despite the numbers, he’s started more than 90% of the games for which he’s been healthy.
The Rangers have hinted in the past that Odor’s playing time was at risk but haven’t followed up. This year, there are at least indications the approach is different behind the rhetoric. They have said Nick Solak will get every chance to win the second base job. More significantly, they have told Odor he’s going to also work at third base.
On Sunday, Woodward went so far as to say he thought the Rangers would be “a better team” if Solak wins the second base job and Odor plays third. Woodward believes Solak’s best defensive position is second base. He believes Odor has the ability to handle the defensive requirements at third.
Odor, a left-handed hitter, will also be challenged at third by Brock Holt, also a left-handed hitter, and veteran infielder Charlie Culberson, a right-handed hitter. The possibility of a platoon there can’t be ruled out.
Asked how his communication with Odor on the subject has been this offseason, Woodward said “OK.”
That might not sound like a ringing endorsement.
“I don’t want to make it sound like he’s not invested in what we’re doing,” Woodward said. “He’s been great. He’s come in with a positive attitude. He’s had some really good years when he was a really good player. I know his numbers have suffered the last couple of years, but it’s in there. We’re trying to tap into it and get it back. He’s got a vision for himself. The only thing we’re trying to understand is how to get him to [realize] that vision. I hope he gets there. That’s something we’ve been wanting him to do for a while.”
If he is to get there, it might be more rewarding. Because this time he’s going to have to earn the opportunity to even try to realize the vision.