A look at the latest official retirement announcements from around the game, plus a potential comeback . . .
- Pitcher Justin Masterson, 33, is officially retired, per his agent Randy Rowley (Twitter link via Fancred’s Jon Heyman). Masterson, who came up with the Red Sox, was a rotation stalwart for the Indians over the early part of the decade, posting an excellent 12.3 fWAR from 2010-’13. The low-slot righty posted some of the league’s highest ground-ball rates over that frame, rarely missing an outing in the process. After a dreadful, walk-marred 2014 campaign, the then-29-year-old never reclaimed his barrel-avoiding touch. The Dodgers took a flier on him prior to the ’17 season, but he struggled in Triple-A Oklahoma City and never did make an appearance for the parent club.
- Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen announced his retirement on Instagram this morning. Wilhelmsen, 35 on Sunday, was suspended from baseball in 2004 and subsequently quit the game the next season; in 2009, though, he returned to pitch for the Golden (Independent) League’s Tucson Toros and was signed by Seattle the next spring. He quickly inserted himself into the bullpen mix for the M’s, posting four seasons of a sub-3.35 ERA from 2011-’15. Command issues often plagued him, though, and he was released by Arizona after a rough start to the 2017 season.
- 2008 Rookie of the Year Geovany Soto will attempt a comeback next season after sitting out 2018, per agent Paul Kinzer (via MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes on Twitter). Soto, 35, has been mostly a backup option after a rough 2012 with the Cubs and Rangers, though has often acquitted himself well in limited action since. He last appeared in the majors with the 2017 White Sox, slashing .190/.271/.405 in 48 plate appearances.
Masterson had good stuff but was never able to fully put it together. at 33 best wishes
Wasn’t Masterson the guy who turned down a giant contract from the Indians because his demands were so so much higher and then he Tanked.. I forget the exact numbers but I think the Indians offered him something like $45M for 3 and he was demanding $50M+ for 3 and didn’t sign.. I think his total Major League earnings after turning down that contract wound up being under 10 million total..he rolled the dice and lost really big
There’s probably not a day that goes by where he doesn’t think about it lol
I was at a game at Wrigley where Soto took direct shots from Rickie weeks and Prince Fielder at the plate in the same inning, he didn’t even wobble. I know weed helps with pain, but he earned a little respect from me that day.
you do good jawb!!!
Can Jamie Moyer or Julio Franco be far behind?
I hope so.
I was sad when Jamie Moyer retired. I thought he could have kept going. He threw soft enough to not put any strain on his elbow or shoulder, but he would hit his spots
And Julio Franco is still playing. Last time I checked, last season, it was in a foreign league
Didn’t he have Tommy John at like 47 years old?
Good luck to Geovany.