The Padres released infielder/outfielder Rougned Odor Monday after designating the 10-year veteran for assignment last week.
The 29-year-old wasn't having a necessarily bad season, hitting .210 and increasing his walk rate by over 4 percent above his career average. Where Odor fell short was home run production. In 59 games, Odor only hit four deep shots for San Diego, disappointing numbers for a player who has hit over 30 homers in a season three times.
All four of Odor's home runs came in May, setting lofty expectations that he clearly was unable to fulfill. In the last month, Odor was hitting .189/.268/.243.
"Rougie was really well-liked here, got off to a good start," managed Bob Melvin said. "Here recently, maybe [he was] not as good. But I think it's maybe more: When the team's not playing well, you try to make some adjustments."
(Via MLB.com)
Odor was on a one-year, $800,000 contract with San Diego, and will now enter free agency.
Releasing Odor freed up space for catcher Luis Campusano to return from the injured list and for rookie Taylor Kohlwey and Alfonso Rivas to move up into the big leagues.
In his four games since returning from the IL, Campusao has gone .333/.333/.533 with a home run and 4 runs batted in.
In 8 at-bats, Kohlway has 2 hits and 3 strikeouts. Rivas has gone 1-for-7 at the plate since returning from the minors.
With the Aug. 1 trade deadline just a week away, the Padres' are sure to make plenty more roster moves. The only question is: Will they be buyers or sellers?
Sitting 6 games behind the last spot in the NL Wild Card, the Padres have their work cut out for them if they want to compete for a spot in the postseason. If they aren't capable of making a run, it could be a good time to sell off some of their desirable upcoming free agents.
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