Venezuelan second baseman Rougned Odor on Thursday agreed to a six-year Major League Baseball contract extension with the Texas Rangers, but only after they threw two horses into the deal.
The 23-year-old South American’s unique enticement came with a payout reportedly worth $49.5 million for the next six seasons with a club option for 2023.
“I have a passion for horses,” Odor said. “I love horses. It’s one of my hobbies, being around the horses.”
Odor batted .271 with 33 home runs and 88 runs batted in last year to help Texas capture the American League West division title. He also served a seven-game ban after punching Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista last May.
The quarter horses figure to have a new home on a ranch Odor plans to build in the Dallas area.
Rangers owners suggested that general manager Jon Daniels play to Odor’s hobby in contract talks.
“Rougie has these big numbers in front of him, and he has a poker face. Nothing changed,” Daniels said. “Then I slid my phone across with a picture of the horses on it, and he said, ‘Hey, can you send that to me?’
“His eyes lit up and I thought, ‘All right, maybe we have a chance.'”
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