The Giants have declined their $13MM club option on Evan Longoria, the third baseman tells Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link). He’ll collect a $5MM buyout and head to free agency.
It’s hardly surprising news, as reports emerged last month the team was leaning towards buying Longoria out, although they could still revisit talks at a lower price point. The hefty buyout figure made this an $8MM call for San Francisco, but they’ve still deemed that too high after he’s appeared in just over half the team’s games over the past couple seasons. Within the past two years, the veteran infielder has had injured list stints for right hamstring, left oblique and left shoulder issues, in addition to surgery on his right hand.
Heading into his age-37 season with that recent injury history, Longoria may be a tough fit for a Giants club that is prioritizing youth and athleticism this winter, according to president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi. That’s particularly true with the team re-signing another right-handed hitting third base option, Wilmer Flores, to a two-year deal late in the year.
To his credit, Longoria has played well when healthy. He has a combined .252/.333/.466 line in 589 plate appearances going back to the start of the 2021 season. That includes an excellent .295/.379/.536 showing against left-handed pitching, making the three-time All-Star a particularly strong fit for teams seeking righty-hitting infield help. The Diamondbacks, Royals and Marlins could all fit that description, making them viable speculative possibilities.
Longoria has previously alluded to the possibility of retiring after an illustrious 15-year big league career. That’s at least theoretically possible, although he tells Slusser this afternoon he’s looking forward to seeing what free agency might offer. That at least suggests he’s open to opportunities to continue playing in 2023.
The ride is over.
Thank you!!
Back to Tampa as a DH/part time 3B to finish his career or is this the end of the line?
I think it is game over for him.
I think he’s got something left in the tank after posting a 114 OPS+. Fans have said the same thing about Matt Carpenter for years.
I don’t see Longoria and Carpenter as that comparable. Carpenter was reasonably durable until this season. Longoria has two straight years of injury issues, playing in only 170 of the potential 324 games. And he hadn’t played 130 games or more since 2017.
The only way I see them as comparable is what value each brought to their teams in ’22. Despite the good numbers I question how valuable Carpenter was playing in only 47 games, The same with Longo, He was good when he played, but just couldn’t be counted on. Teams need guys to be there more than half the time.
He’s clearly capable of being productive, but the problem is availability. Even if they bring him back at a lesser price on a 1-year deal, you really have to expect the injury issues to continue regardless. Time to move on.
Seems like a fit for the Yankees. They like really old players.
Problem is they have another old guy playing 3B that can still scoop.
So was it more like an 8M dollar option then? Probably still not worth it
Bloom move! Trade devers and sign Evan.
Where’s he been spending his four-year vacation?
At various doctor’s offices and surgery rooms.
Seems like the Diamondbacks are in a youth movement as well. Don’t see Hazen kicking the tires on him. I do hope he plays in 2023.
Midway in his career he was labeled as possibly HOF bound… That’s not the cause but still one heck of a career.
Pirates written all over him. 1B/DH and flipped at the deadline.
They will have quite a bit of old/oft-injured players to choose from, maybe we’ll get lucky and they will also sign a starting pitcher and possibly a catcher.
In all seriousness, signing Longo, Zunino, and Eflin/Pineda would be an ok offseason as they transition into trying to compete.
The Pirates have only be rebuilding for the past 7 years… they still have about 13 to go.
Miami could use Longo at 3B. He can’t play everyday but getting him DH at bats would keep him fresh.
Yes, the Marlins have older/underperforming players already but Soler and Garcia should bounce back. With Chisholm coming back this team could be pretty good next year. They need bats!
So long, Longo. Off to the glue factory with ya!
Past his prime and injury prone. Brian Cashman will be looking into signing him anytime now.
Cashman won’t acquire him unless it costs a AAA starter.
Wouldn’t mind seeing him back up arenado, goldy and dh.
What?!
This sounds like a perfect fit for the Angels business model. I predict 5/100m