The hot stove really got going over the last few days (likely due to the impending work stoppage, but we’ll ignore that for now), but as usual Birdland has been largely left out.
Well, Mike Elias finally threw us a bone last night, as the Birds signed former Texas Ranger and New York Yankee infielder Rougned Odor to a (gasp) one-year contract.
We have signed INF Rougned Odor to a one-year contract for the 2022 season.
Welcome to Birdland, Rougned! pic.twitter.com/0nXoAfiuFn
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) December 1, 2021
Odor, a middling player, is best known for a hit delivered not with his bat, but with his fist. This beautiful punch to the face of Jose Bautista, back in 2016:
The Orioles could pack the yard if they gave out a t shirt to commemorate this pic.twitter.com/xxib8O3U6G
— Yule Log Street Report ? (@EutawStReport) December 1, 2021
Odor is still only 27, but he debuted with the Rangers back in 2014 at the age of 20, which is why it seems like he’s been around forever. 2016 was his best season, as in addition to knocking out Jose there, he also used his bat well, to the tune of a .798 OPS and 33 home runs. Career, he is a .234/.289/.433 guy, certainly nothing to brag about.
Let’s be honest: this is mostly a nothing move. Maybe Odor can regain some of the pop in his bat at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, and we’ll have fun posting the above GIF every time he does literally anything, but this is hardly the kind of “real” major league baseball player O’s fans are clamoring for the team to sign.
At the same time, it’s not worth getting worked up over. The chances the O’s actually sign anyone of note this offseason didn’t move one way or another because they brought in Rougned.
If nothing else, Odor should never pay for a beer while he’s out in Charm City, thanks to the slug on hated villain Joey Bats.
Welcome to Birdland, Champ.
