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Evan Longoria was once one of the best two-way third basemen in the league.
He was a top slugger, and an even better defender at the hot corner.
His best years came with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the San Francisco Giants have been his team since 2018.
He stopped a three-year decline in 2021 with one of his finest seasons in recent memory, slashing .261/.351/.482.
Last year, he returned a similar offensive performance, at .244/.315/.451.
The problem with Longoria is that health has limited him to 170 games out of 324 in the last two years.
As a result, the Giants made a decision on his future.
“The Giants are reportedly not picking up Evan Longoria’s club option & he will become a free agent, per @susanslusser,” MLB on FOX tweeted.
The Giants are reportedly not picking up Evan Longoria’s club option & he will become a free agent, per @susanslusser pic.twitter.com/P4Wuw5HaCB
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) November 10, 2022
The option was worth $13 million, so it was a bit steep for a player who spends half of the season on the injured list.
Longoria Can Still Help A Team
There is still some thump in Longoria’s bat, though.
There might be some mutual interest in a reunion, but both parties basically want to see what’s out there.
“Evan Longoria tells me that, as expected, the Giants have not picked up his option. A dialogue remains open with the team, though. Longoria is interested in seeing what free agency has to offer,” Slusser tweeted.
Evan Longoria tells me that, as expected, the Giants have not picked up his option. A dialogue remains open with the team, though. Longoria is interested in seeing what free agency has to offer.
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) November 10, 2022
It’s possible the Giants realize they got too old too fast and decide to move on from the reliable Longoria, who is already 37.
He can still help a major league team, though, whether it’s the Giants or any other organization.
His defense is obviously not what it used to be, but he is still about average out there.
Couple that with his bat, and you have a solid part-time player.
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