We’ve already previewed a few different positions in this year’s free-agent market, beginning with catcher and first base. Third base is up next, and I’ll note in advance that there are of course quite a few notable shortstops who could conceivably be viewed as fits at the hot corner for teams in need. Any from the Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Javier Baez, Marcus Semien and Trevor Story ranks could surely be viewed as a candidate to slide over to third base — Semien moved from shortstop to second base in free agency last winter, after all — but they’ll all be highlighted in more depth in our look at the shortstop market.
Here’s a look at the offseason collection of third base options…
Everyday Options
Kris Bryant (30 years old next season): The clear top of this year’s class, Bryant figures to command one of the largest contracts of any free agent this winter. The former No. 2 overall draft pick, Rookie of the Year, and MVP has put a dismal 2020 showing in the rear-view mirror, bouncing back with a strong .268/.356/.496 batting line in 556 plate appearances between the Cubs and the Giants. He’s connected on 25 home runs and 32 doubles while significantly improving upon last year’s poor strikeout and walk rates.
Bryant has been a very, very good hitter — about 30 percent better than league average, per wRC+ — in three of the past four seasons. He’s a true middle-of-the-order hitter, but he’s never fully matched his brilliant 2016-17 production, when he was nearly 50 percent better than the average hitter. Agent Scott Boras will surely push Bryant as an option at either infield corner and in any of the three outfield spots, championing his client’s defensive versatility and the value that brings to a suitor. There’s plenty of truth to that, honestly, but it should also be noted that Bryant isn’t exactly a plus defender at all of those positions, either. Bryant won’t be eligible for a qualifying offer after being traded midseason.
Eduardo Escobar (33): A recent slump has tanked Escobar’s overall batting line a bit, but he’s a switch-hitter with above-average offense, plenty of pop in his bat and decent defensive marks at both third base and second base over the past few seasons. Escobar is two long balls shy of his second 30-homer season in the past three years. The 2020 season was an immense struggle for him, but Escobar has been a quality bat in the past three full-length seasons. He’s walking at a career-best 8.3 percent clip in 2021, including a 10.7 percent mark since being traded from Arizona to Milwaukee. Escobar has played plenty of shortstop in his career but has just two innings there since 2018. He’ll most likely be viewed as a pure third baseman/second baseman.
Utility Infielders with Experience at Third
- Ehire Adrianza (32): Adrianza’s .246/.327/.392 line through 197 plate appearances isn’t too far from his career mark. He’s a glove-first, switch-hitting infielder with decent defensive marks around the diamond.
- Asdrubal Cabrera (36): Cabrera has gone hitless since being picked up by the Reds but was only a bit worse than the league average prior to that point. He’s a veteran bench bat who can handle first base and second base as well.
- Leury Garcia (31): Garcia has had a nice few seasons on the South Side of Chicago. He’s a switch-hitting utilityman who can cover any non-catcher position on the diamond. Garcia doesn’t hit for power or draw many walks, but he makes a fair amount of contact and has been right around league average offensively over the past couple seasons.
- Marwin Gonzalez (33): Gonzalez hit just .201/.281/.285 before the Red Sox cut him loose. He’s clubbed three homers in 23 plate appearances since re-signing in Houston, but he’s still hitting just .182 overall there. Gonzalez posted a career year in 2017, and his bat has steadily declined since.
- Josh Harrison (34): It’s certainly feasible that Harrison has hit his way into an everyday job somewhere next season after batting .285/.348/.414 in his past 624 plate appearances. Contending clubs might view him as more of a versatile super-utility player, but the 34-year-old has put an ugly 2019 season behind him.
- Brock Holt (34): Holt hasn’t hit much since a nice 2018-19 run with the Red Sox, but he can play just about anywhere on the diamond. He’s played third base near-exclusively with the Rangers in 2021 (and graded well there), but Holt has experience at the three other infield positions and in all three outfield spots.
- Brad Miller (32): Miller walks a lot, strikes out a lot and hits for power. He’s a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none type who can play all over the field but doesn’t have great defensive ratings anywhere. The Phils have used him mostly at first base, but he’s also played third, second and corner outfield in 2021 while hitting .230/.320/.463 with 19 big flies.
- Chris Owings (30): Owings posted a huge .326/.420/.628 line this year, but it came in just 50 plate appearances and is miles from his tepid career slash line of .243/.288/.372. Owings can play pretty much anywhere but catcher and has strong defensive marks at second base. His .284 OBP over his past 2000 MLB plate appearances, however, hinders his value.
- Joe Panik (31): An elite defender at second base for much of his career, Panik played 226 innings at third this season and posted a brutal -9 Defensive Runs Saved mark. He draws his walks and is tough to strike out, but he’s also hitting just .236/.305/.319 since 2018.
- Eric Sogard (36): Sogard popped a career-high 13 homers in the juiced-ball 2019 season but followed it up with a .232/.282/.299 slash in 2020-21. He’s a good defender at second without much offensive upside.
- Jonathan Villar (31): Like Harrison, Villar has hit well enough this season that he could easily land an everyday role next year. Some clubs may view him as more of a utility player, but with a .254/.327/.429 batting line, 18 homers and 13 steals under his belt, Villar will get a big league deal whether he’s locked in at one position or bouncing around as needed.
Corner-Only/Platoon Bats
- Maikel Franco (29): Franco is in minor league deal territory after being released by the Orioles on the heels of a .210/.253/.355 performance (403 plate appearances). The former top prospect had a decent showing with the 2020 Royals but has been well below-average dating back to 2016.
- Todd Frazier (36): Frazier went just 3-for-35 before being released by the Pirates and joining the U.S. Olympic team. He smacked 21 home runs as recently as 2019 with the Mets and had a huge Spring Training in 2021, but his output during the 2020-21 seasons was well below his career standards.
- Jake Lamb (31): A productive everyday third baseman with the D-Backs at his 2016-17 peak, Lamb hasn’t been the same since undergoing shoulder surgery in 2018. He’s bounced around between a few teams in journeyman fashion, splitting this season with the White Sox and Blue Jays before being designated for assignment by Toronto yesterday. The left-handed hitter owns a .194/.306/.368 line in 170 plate appearances between the two clubs this season.
- Pablo Sandoval (35): The Panda’s resurgence with the 2019 Giants was a fun story, but he’s batted just .197/.294/.299 in 180 plate appearances between the Giants and Braves since that time. The Indians acquired him as a financial counterbalance in the deadline trade that sent Eddie Rosario to Atlanta, but Cleveland released Sandoval that same day.
- Travis Shaw (32): Shaw’s Milwaukee reunion didn’t work, as he posted just a .191/.279/.337 line there before being cut loose. His return to the Red Sox, however, has been excellent: .250/.325/.583 through 41 plate appearances. It’s a small sample but still a much-needed sign of life in his bat.
- Yoshi Tsutsugo (30): Tsutsugo’s been limited to first base and the corner outfield this season, but he started eleven games at the hot corner with Tampa Bay last season. The left-handed hitter underwhelmed with the Rays after a ten-year NPB career as one of Japan’s most fearsome power hitters. Cut loose by both Tampa Bay and the Dodgers, Tsutsugo latched on with the Pirates a month ago. He’s doing his best to put his past couple stints behind him, mashing at a .311/.394/.678 clip with eight homers in 104 plate appearances in Pittsburgh. It’s a very small sample of big league productivity, but combined with Tsutsugo’s strong NPB track record, makes him an interesting low-cost flier.
Players with 2022 Options
Kyle Seager, Mariners, $20MM club option ($3MM buyout): The Mariners’ call on Seager will be one of the more interesting option decisions a team has to make this offseason. He’s hitting a personal-worst .215 with the second-lowest OBP of his career (.292). But Seager has popped 35 home runs, bringing his overall batting line to slightly above the league average. He’s still a good defender at the hot corner and a career-long Mariner who’s been a respected member of the franchise for more than a decade. $17MM isn’t an insignificant sum, but Seattle will enter the offseason with plenty of payroll flexibility. This one feels it could go in either direction, and Seager would jump up alongside Escobar at the top of the non-Bryant market at the position if he’s bought out.
Jose Ramirez, Indians, $11MM club option ($2MM buyout): There won’t be many easier decisions for a team this winter than there is for the Cleveland front office on Ramirez’s fairly cheap option. It’s an absolute bargain for one of the best players in the sport.
Wilmer Flores, Giants, $3.5MM club option ($250K buyout): Flores has roughly the equivalent of one full season’s worth of playing time since signing with San Francisco over the 2019-20 offseason. He’s hitting .261/.323/.472 in that time, showing power and quality bat-to-ball skills. Flores can play multiple positions and has a long history of mashing left-handed pitching. For a high-payroll club, the $3.5MM option looks like an easy yes.
Matt Carpenter, Cardinals, $18.5MM club option ($2MM buyout): Carpenter’s option is a lock to be bought out. A bit of a late-bloomer, Carpenter found his stride in his late-20’s and kicked off a seven-year run from 2012-18 as one of the game’s better offensive players. His work at the plate has fallen substantially since then, particularly over the past two seasons. With a .180/.316/.299 line since the start of 2020, Carpenter might be looking at minor league offers this winter. The 35-year-old is planning on giving it another go though.
Nolan Arenado, Cardinals, opt-out clause (five years, $164MM remaining): Arenado has said on multiple occasions that he plans to forgo his opt-out clause and remain with the Cardinals long-term. Were he to unexpectedly change course, he’d be among the top names on the entire free-agent market, but that seems unlikely.
More like Nolan STARenado.
Alright then. Good night.
If only you had friends in real life…
My mom says I’m cool.
Nicely done
Damn glad Arenado is a Cardinal and no doubt he will stay after the nice finish this season. Would really hate to be shopping from this list otherwise.
Makes me laugh whenever they say “ had a poor 2020 season” come on man it was 60 games. It wasn’t a season. It was a $$$ grab. You can’t judge a player who played a 40% schedule.
Don’t tell the Dodgers that. Lol
A money grab? Yeah those stands were packed out…
Trade Riley and Sign Ramirez (if available).
Ignore and mute this clown (if you haven’t already)
Once Freeman walks, there is nothing left on this team. Albies is overrated and Riley is not proven nor do I think he is for real. He strikes out too often and has holes in his swing. He will go back to reality like he has been for most of his career so far. Acuna is not good enough and will never replace Freeman. They need an overhaul and a new manager. Personally, I’ll rebuild/retool. This team will be a bottom dweller after their collapse this season. Then again they have been a terrible team all year. It is quite sad they are allowing an even worse team (Phils) catch them.
Dang, how much have you had to smoke tonight?
Actually the Braves nucleus is very good. Not sure which Braves you are talking about.
I’m convinced you are Metsfan22.
Is the nucleus really that good though? What is your basis? Last season’s 60 game season?
Let’s see,
They lost the back end of the bullpen and/or have guys who are no longer good this season (Martin and Greene)
Ozuna and TD had MVP-type seasons last season and played a big part in their success. Ozuna is gone and TD is well…who knows. He might return to form but is unlikely to achieve what he did last season.
I love Anderson but he has been disappointing this season. At this point, will it be homerish to think he will return to form? Any regression means the Braves are worse off.
People love to look at last season’s “strong” but shorten season and use it as the basis, but conveniently leave out this season’s lackluster season all year. Why should last year have more weight than a full season? Most will likely say Acuna, but let’s not kid ourselves here. Acuna is not good enough to carry a team nor make a significant difference.
The Braves are where they are because of their bullpen. Only the Braves (Snit) will continue to put Smith in the 9th despite giving up runs seemingly every appearance. They need to overhaul it. I believe the offense should not be ignored though. It is too home run or nothing right now. Albies is a perfect example of that. Will somebody tell him to change his approach at some point? I personally believe Duvall is a bonafide bench player. Homeruns or strikeouts for him. People want him back. If he declines his option, let him walk. All of this would not matter if Freeman walks though.
Blah… Blah… Blah… Dude, you are the only person I’ve ever seen that constantly rants about how terrible a first place team is. Clubs don’t end up in first place by accident. Atlanta has a good club. They have one of the best IFs in the league, tons of young depth at C and solid young SP. AA did a good job patching the OF this year after the RAJ injury and Ozuna mess.
It is funny you mention that Appal. The Braves will likely have fewer wins than the second wildcard winner. How is that not winning “by accident?”
Riley had a GREAT season, cut down Ks. You are dead wrong.
“Dude, you are the only person I’ve ever seen that constantly rants about how terrible a first place team is”
Do you know any Yankees fans from the past 25 years?
Lol, Ramirez will magically become available just because he wants him on his team.
? I said if available. Some of you are so quick to put on your white knight caps.
You also said albies is overrated and acuna isn’t that good. I’m still a little confused on that part. I’m kinda not sure if any team has a better and more financially sound duo on their team at of and 2b let alone on their entire team.
Talk to me when Albies hits big home runs in the postseason. Anybody who actually watches the Braves will tell you how flawed of a hitter he is. His 30 home runs are cute but are meaningless until he hits them in big spots in the postseason. Besides, everybody is hitting Hrs today. There is a reason why his OBP is low, which also eliminates his ability to steal bases. That is what will be missing when they are eliminated in the first round (if they make it). In other words, he shouldn’t be trying to be a home run hitter in a lineup filled with like players.
Even great players can’t just magically hit big home runs in the playoffs you know…
Exactly. That is my point. He will try to be the hero but instead will strike out like he often does because he has a terrible approach at the plate. His skillset includes more, yet he fails to utilize it fully.
Ummmmm no! The Guardians (LOL) have a cheap team option on Ramirez so he won’t hit free agency anyways…
Ok great, but the Indians might still consider trading him.
To put a bow on this though, the Braves will not trade Riley obviously. He is cheap, which means less money spent. Regardless, my stance on him is not different, nor any player I mentioned either. It is an all-or-nothing offense. They need to switch it up.
If you don’t want Freeman, Yankees welcome him with open arms… I don’t see ATL letting him walk, however. He’s too important to the team in so many other ways outside of his incredible on-field play. I believe they will come to terms with him. I also believe ATL’a nucleus of players is very good, albeit the team fell below expectations this year – but look at SD Pads,right?
I want Freeman back for selfish reasons, but he will never win a ring in ATL hence my name.
No Matt Duffy?
Mariners should exercise Kyle Seager’s option and make a play for Corey Seager. They can hit back to back like Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. did.
It’s obvious I’m not a Mets fan. IMO the Mets should of traded for Bryant instead of Baez regardless of what Lindor wants. Hopefully Mets get him in the off season
Agreed, but I think they believe they have a better chance at signing Baez as opposed to Bryant. With the contracts coming off the books, wonder if they go after both Baez and Bryant (Cohen has the cash) and let Conforto, Stroman, Thor, etc. walk. Move Davis, Smith and McNeil for the remaining needs.
Padam, those moves make the Mets arguably worse. Where’s their starting staff? Their OF? It’s a minimal upgrade to the offense.
They have 4 starters: deGrom, Walker, Carrasco, Peterson. Need a solid #2.
Outside of Nimmo, the three mentioned can either be traded or used in the OF or 3B, with Bryant able to fill either of the OF spots. Could always resign Conforto. Point being made is there $$$ flexibility to look at a variety of strategies and approaches. Question is, which way do they go? Bryant would certainly complete the INF.
That’s still a weak team with an INCREDIBLY vulnerable to injury pitching staff. That #2 is gonna eat up all those trade chips. Like I said, that’s an even worse team than we have now. They definitely need Stroman back and Thor, too. That plus Bryant and they’re still just treading water. They’re, in your scenario, minus Smith and McNeil even if they keep Conforto. That’s a worse team than they have now by quite a bit. Keep Stroman, Thor, Conforto and McNeil and add an infielder and they’re just getting started. Your plan is way too many steps backwards and not enough forward.
Smith and McNeil should go.
They should go? In exchange for who? You wanna give up on McNeil after one bad season?
And, the Mets are going to make a huge mistake in signing Baez this winter, imho. I like Baez, but he’s incredibly streaky on both sides of the ball and probably not who the Mets need to allocate their monetary resources toward.
Baez has changed his approach at the plate since coming to the Mets. He’s taking more pitches and walking more. That’s probably calculated to enhance his perceived value as he enters the free agent market. But I don’t see the Mets being able to afford him. Complicating matters, they have Cano returning from suspension next season, and where do you play him if Baez is at second?
You don’t play Cano. Why would you have to?
The Mets owe Cano something like $20 million for the 2022 season. They’ve either got to play him, use him as a bench asset, or release him.
Yes those would be the three options. So bench asset or release. It has no impact at all on potential free agent signings either way.
Baez won’t sign to play 2b long term. He’s a shortstop first and foremost and will sign someplace to play his primary position
The Yanks are going to sign one of the big name shortstops this winter, @Clip. That seems fairly obvious by now.
Which one do you prefer?
When I look at them…man, I keep circling back around to Baez. With his power, speed, & glove he has a really high floor. I think he gets one of the shorter deals too.
I’d like to see Cash/Hal just get old school this winter & go big game hunting on the free agent market. Something like; Baez, Verlander, & Marte.
That would shake up the East.
He’ll sign with whoever pays him the most. You think he’s gonna leave money on the table on his only chance at a mega deal just to choose his position?
Should’ve traded for Bryant? Why? He’d have cost a lot and they’d still be missing the playoffs anyway. Shouldn’t even have traded for Baez.
No that would be pointless, just like the Sr/Jr publicity stunt was. The younger Seager would have nowhere to play unless you make him play 2nd and then where would Abraham Toro play? And besides Corey is injury prone and not as durable as his brother. That would be a poor outlay of free agent dollars…I think the answer is Correa ( or Semien) and Chris Taylor (and/or JD Martinez to 2-year contract.)
@Martial No that would be pointless, just like the Sr/Jr publicity stunt was. The younger Seager would have nowhere to play unless you make him play 2nd and then where would Abraham Toro play? And besides Corey is injury prone and not as durable as his brother. That would be a poor outlay of free agent dollars…I think the answer is Correa ( or Semien) and Chris Taylor (and/or JD Martinez to 2-year contract.)
Mariners will not make a play for Corey for a couple reasons. One he would need to play 2nd and it has been said he will only play SS. Crawford is the SS for the foreseeable future he could be moved in 2 years or so when Marte is called up. The better player will go to SS the other 2nd maybe third depends on how French plays third.
2nd Corey is going to be expensive and want a long term contract. This displaces Marte who could be traded but because they have money to spend doesn’t mean they should go and spend. Seager is not an immediate need and signing him because it is cool is a poor reason.
I do agree they should bring Kyle back. He can play 3rd and DH while France is at 3rd. It also means France can play 1st if White is not ready to come up right away. Hope White learns to hit. He was supposed to be a glove first bat light player but he has to hit above the Mendoza line. Yes to Kyle no to Corey.
Seager’s option will be for $20 million instead of the number everyone expected. Seattle won’t pick it up. So they will need to replace the production with the money they’re saving otherwise the offseason will be a failure.
I believe both sides will sit down and work out a 2 or 3 year contract that’s in line with his actual value. I believe his family is here now and the Mariners would do well to keep him at a reasonable contact.
24, The article said $20M with a $3M buyout. Not sure what your point is.
All season long people have been expecting it to be a $15 million option, he’ll make $20 million next year if they pick it up. At 15 million a lot of people thought it was reasonable to pick it up, not so much now.
It is actual dollars $17 mill since there is a $3 mill buyout. I think they keep him and see how much longer he wants to play. I would go 2 years with a mutual 3-4 option if he wants to play that long. 2 years would be great with a $28 mill or so contract. Like I said above they transition France to 3rd. They can switch them between 3rd and DH. I think Seager hits better playing DH more to rest his body.
Acuna is not good enough? Not good enough for what. Your not watching the same player I’m watching.
I think Matt chapman will be traded but didn’t have a good hitting year other than power. A’s likely rebuilding
Kris Bryant and a bunch of utility players. I don’t see Arenado opting out of his deal with the Cardinals. I wonder if the Matiners will exercise Seager’s option or will they decline it and let him walk
I would love to see Story or Seagar go to Milwaukee if they can see JBJ, Cain ( possible retirement if they win a WS) Garcia contracts. Plus Anderson won’t be back. I could see Nunez or Franco in on a minor league deal. Another possibility is grabbing Chapman in trade with Oakland ( plenty of young pitching to trade from). Let the critics to start.
I don’t see this as realistic for the Brewers. The kind of contracts Story and Seager will command are not the kind of contracts Stearns hands out. And their IF is pretty set aside from 1B now.
Ok well what if Urias is regular at third and maybe signing Taylor for super utility position then
There’s gonna be like a select few teams that can even pretend to be in on kris Bryant ! Mets and Phillies for sure and possibly giants Yankees dodgers ( if they lose seagar and Taylor) Red Sox and that’s about it ! Slight chance some Cubs sentiment is in play there both ways but doubt it
If those are the teams in play for Bryant, he’s going to make a lot of money because they all have deep pockets.
He’s gonna get paid a lot more then he is worth
Red Sox aren’t going to be in on Bryant. Far too expensive and i don’t think J.D. opts out and if he Does they have an option on Schwarber. Dalbec and Devers are the corner IF’s though maybe Shaw has earned at least a chance to come back in spring training. Verdugo, Hernandez, Duran, and Renfroe (they absolutely have to offer him arbitration) should make up the OF.
If the Sox opt to spend big anywhere it has to be in the starting rotation
Brewers have third basemen, Urais, need first basemen, Rizzo?
I could see this.
I don’t get the fascination with Bryant personally; I see the Giants being exactly where they are now even if they hadn’t traded for him. Has he made any difference being in that lineup? I am an American League guy so I don’t see his every at-bat but he seems rather unexciting.
If the Mariners don’t keep Seager I would like them to sign Carlos Correa to play third (or to play second, and move Toro to third). Then sign Chris Taylor to be Super-Utility and sign Marcus Stroman for the rotation BINGO there you have a championship caliber team.
Yeah, he’s made a difference on offense – Longoria/Flores/Solano/Dickerson have all been on the injured list since he’s arrived and having a guy like Bryant lessened the blows quite a bit.
Having said that, while he *can* play multiple positions, he really isn’t that good defensively, particularly in the outfield. His arm is suspect and while he seems fast when he runs the bases, he looks like he’s in quick sand when he runs in the outfield.
Whoever signs him will be overpaying for a good, but not great, hitter and a below average defender that can play multiple positions.
I’ve watched Bryant and he’s really quite atrocious in the outfield. Gets a bad jump, doesn’t read the ball off the bat well, and doesn’t know a thing about playing bounces off walls. I was at the game last Sunday and got a real close view of him from my seat. He botched three plays I know Yaz would have handled easily. I think he should stick to left field to hide his deficiencies.
I’m so curious what he is going to get this offseason.
Positives: 30 years old, decent pop, can play multiple positions, a ROY and MVP under his belt.
Negatives: He’s starting the downward slope of his prime, isn’t a great defender at any position, more a solid supporting player than a bat to build a team around.
How much can he hope to get? Didn’t he turn down over $200 million already? Can he hope to beat six-years/$138 million? Isn’t that even an overpay?
I don’t get the whole Bryant as an outfielder thing. Especially as he ages his value is at 3B. The bat isn’t as great for a COF.
Well, you see things incorrectly, I guess.
If the M’s sign Correa it won’t be for him to play 3B. Correa is far superior with the glove to J.P. Crawford. Why pay for an elite glove, and then switch him to a less important position? Plus Correa will have multiple offers. I doubt he would sign with anyone that planned to move him off of SS.
Be perfect if the Brewers could resign Escobar and have him play 1B for 2 or 3 years. They don’t need to spend a ton of dough on an infielder (i.e. Story, Baez, Rizzo). Nor do they need to trade for Chapman and the holes in his swing. Urias at 3b, Adames at SS, Wong at 2b. If they’re gonna spend money, it’s in the OF. Maybe a Brock Holt type of player for infield depth
Don’t the Brewers need another big bat?? And will Yelich ever be the same?? Thanks I don’t get to see much of the Brew,- Crew.
All teams could use a big bat. The Brewers, if they re-signed, Escobar (switch hitter), that would solidify the infield. Yelich has been hitting line drives as of late and going the other way. Good sign. Tall guys sometimes lose it, quicker than shorter players, but he still has time before age gets to that. His back issues are a concern though. About a 45 day IL stint hurt them early in the season. The question is, will they resign Avi Garcia. Decent numbers but is streaky. Not sure how much he’ll command in FA this year. If they got a big bat, it would be an OF. They may trade for a controllable guy. Signing J. Bradley had turned out to be a bad signing unless he finds magic in the postseason (great late game D and possibly a miracle pinch hit HR. He’s just not seeing it at the plate). He’s under contract one more year and a fairly high price.
Stick to college footbal Lou
Hey, Mastershakeup, I’ve watched pretty much every Brewers game for the last 10 years. I know that team as well as any. Once Adames was traded for on June 22, the offense took off, including Urias. 20 HR’s and 260 average. What is Bryant hitting? 270 with 25 homers and dinged all the time. Same with Story. The Brewers don’t have the money to sign pricey FA’s, nor do they need to. Their pitching staff is excellent, young and all controllable for the foreseeable future.
I have always liked Todd Frazier but don’t see how he gets a major league contract next season.
Would the Mets trade Torres for Thor? Torres cheaper than Baez
Thor is a free agent
The Mets don’t have Torres.
Dear Jed Hoyer,
Please, just say no to Javier Baez.
Sincerely,
The Strike Zone.
You, actually mean “sincerely, right above the top of the strike zone.” Whiff!!!
So the choices are Bryant, Escobar, or pray that you luck out on a minor league signing.
Bryant can’t even really throw from third to first at all anymore
Not sure about that. He still plays a decent 3B.
Are you referring to the Brewers, Tdat1979? They’re not signing Bryant. Escobar more than likely will stay. The nucleus and heart of the Brewer offense is from south of the US border. That’s what leads me to believe Avi Garcia will resign with a somewhat home town deal. Adames, Pina, Urias, Narvaez all get along well with Garcia. Plus no media nonsense to deal with in Milwaukee
No mention of Chris Taylor? Not a full-time third baseman but he has played there.
They really could add Taylor to all positions except C and P. It would get tiring seeing him over and over again. Not really sure what Taylor will do outside LA. Lots of protection in that lineup.
What makes you think the Dodgers won’t resign him?
Teams that look at Taylor are going to value him him mostly as a 2B or LF more than anywhere else. Similar to how the Red Sox have mostly deployed Kike Hernandez at 2B and CF even though he can play all over, those are his best positions
Taylor has started just 16 games at 3B in his MLB career. He is not going to be someone’s regular at the position.
An outstanding contributor to the Dodgers, emphasized by those back-to-back outstanding catches in LF during last night’s 9th inning. Even so, I have mixed feelings on whether the Dodgers should bring him back. He turns 31 next August and the high strikeout totals suggest his bat might not be an asset over, say, a four-year deal. Gavin Lux is looking good, which might affect the decision. He has taken to the outfield fast and has similar versatility, speed to burn, and figures to hit just fine. His return from the minors has been a revelation. No more over-thinking. Just hit the damn ball.