Longtime Braves outfielder Matt Diaz has announced via Twitter that he will not pursue a new contract (hat tip to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution). Though he stopped short of saying he will file retirement papers, Diaz made clear in a post on his blog (well worth a read) that he expects his playing career to be over.
Diaz saw only minimal time with the Marlins last year at age 35. He did, however, put up a promising .341/.385/.459 triple-slash in his 91 Triple-A plate appearances for Miami. Surely, Diaz would have had to settle for a minor league deal and a depth assignment in the upper minors had he decided to play.
The 11-year MLB veteran was most productive in 2006, 2007, and 2009 for Atlanta. In each of those three seasons, he posted over 300 plate appearances, registered an OPS of .839 or better, and was worth at least 1.7 rWAR/1.9 fWAR. Diaz also spent time with the Rays, Royals, Pirates, and Marlins organizations, but will unquestionably be remembered as a ballplayer for his work with the Braves.
I’m gonna miss Matty Ice and his days with the Braves. This guy could flat out hit. It wasn’t pretty but he got the job done.Always gave 110% and played the right way. I’d love to see him on the bench as a pinch hitter still now for the Braves.
Also remembered for his takedown of an idiot who got on the field.
Love is a strong word but if there was a guy that Braves fans truly loved it was Matty. He wasn’t just a great player. He was a great guy and family man. Obviously I don’t know him personally but I do know one thing. I was at the players parking lot outside the fence after a game one night and I watched all of the players leave in their range rovers, huge trucks, benz’s…etc. You wanna know what Matty drove away in? A Nissan Maxima. The guy obviously spends his money elsewhere then where athletes usually spend it.
He made less than 10 million in lifetime earnings per B-ref. His best years were his pre-arb years where he played for almost nothing.
Less than 10mil will still get you a Ferrari or Rover.
He was always big in the community & his fundraisers.
Great guy.
“almost nothing” = a night at Chili’s with Vince Young.
You make close to $10M, you don’t have to work.
“almost nothing” = a night at Chili’s with Vince Young.
You make close to $10M, you don’t have to work.
If you can’t make it as a Miami regular with that AAA slash line you likely aren’t going to make it anywhere. I enjoyed watching him
I guess Diaz and Boog Powell, other than Chris sale perhaps are the 3 best to ever hail from lakeland Fl. neighboring Winter haven still comes out on top with pro athletes.. otis Birdsong in BB and Larry Parrish for BaseBall.
I follow the local sports, but even though the local prep stars get drafted, they haven’t become top MLB players over the years.
The Braves should sign him to a contract that states he will only play against the Mets. This guy destroyed us year after year.
Johan Santana couldn’t get him out to save his life.
I’d honestly like to see them sign him, league minimum, and have his presence on the bench.
Our only defense against Johan Santana, that man could take against southpaws. Hope he takes a gig in broadcasting.
Diaz was a great player for the Braves, really helped vs lefties. He absolutely KILLED Johan Santana. I know some people claim batter vs pitcher match ups are overrated, but Diaz proved that theory wrong.