This year, we’ve seen former quality MLB players such as Joakim Soria, Daniel Murphy, Cody Allen, Nick Markakis, Hector Rondon, Jordan Zimmermann, Welington Castillo, and Nate Jones decide to retire. All current MLB free agents are experiencing the first work stoppage of their career right now. Should the lockout end sometime in February, there could be a burst of concentrated free agent signings and trades unlike anything we’ve ever seen before.
While that will likely work out just fine for the likes of Carlos Correa, Kris Bryant, and Freddie Freeman, a free agent frenzy could also include a cold shoulder toward former MLB stars nearing the end of their careers. Instead of putting the finishing touches on rosters with a sprinkling of February or March one-year MLB deals and minor league deals, front offices will be working to acquire many significant star and mid-tier free agents and trade targets when the lockout ends. It stands to reason that many veterans with declining skills will be told they need to wait even longer before a team is willing to commit. That could leave former stars without jobs. Rich Hill has a deal with the Red Sox heading into his age-42 season, but let’s take a look at eight elder statesmen who may at least consider retirement.
- Albert Pujols: 42 in January, Pujols mashed lefties and gave the Dodgers a veteran presence off the bench this year. Back in October, he said, “I don’t think my time to retire has come. I don’t want to sit in my house next year, knowing that I can still keep playing.” Pujols is 21 home runs shy of 700 for his career, and he’d be aided by the addition of the NL DH.
- Ryan Zimmerman: Zimmerman, 37, had an October send-off at Nationals Park but hasn’t publicly made a decision about retirement. At a press conference, he said, “Do I want to keep playing? I think I can keep playing. I think I had a really good year with the role that I was supposed to do, and now it’s a decision of whether I want to keep doing that, or do I want to be around my family a little bit more. I think the only thing I kind of told Davey is I started the season around 50/50 and it hasn’t gone up.” GM Mike Rizzo said Zimmerman has an MLB contract with the team as long as he wants it.
- Brett Gardner: Gardner, 38, scuffled with the bat this year but wasn’t much worse than he was in 2016 or ’18. He wants to return to the Yankees in 2022, but chose a $1.15MM buyout over a $2.3MM player option.
- Nelson Cruz: Cruz, 41, has been defying age for many years but managed only a 96 wRC+ in 238 plate appearances after a trade to the Rays. Before the season, Cruz said “retirement is not on my mind,” and now he might have the chance to DH in the National League. Cruz is tied with Jeff Bagwell and Vladimir Guerrero at 40th on the all-time home run leaderboard with 449. It’s easy to see Cruz striving for the 500 club, which currently has 28 members.
- Jed Lowrie: Lowrie, 38 in April, played only nine games from 2019-20, encompassing his contract with the Mets. This year, surprisingly, he played 139 games for the A’s. Lowrie struggled in the season’s final two months, but thus far he’s given no indication he’s looking to retire.
- Zack Greinke: Greinke, 38, gave up 20 earned runs over 15 1/3 innings in his final four regular season appearances, ballooning his ERA from 3.41 to 4.16. He battled through COVID-19 and neck soreness, but capped his season by giving the Astros four scoreless innings to start Game 4 of the World Series. Asked after the game if he wants to continue playing, Greinke declined to answer. Back in March, Greinke said, “Hopefully, I’ll pitch a lot longer still, but a lot of things come into play on whether you’re allowed to pitch as long as you want to and stuff.”
- J.A. Happ: Happ, 39, posted a 6.77 ERA in 19 starts for the Twins, but managed a 4.00 mark in 11 outings after being traded to the Cardinals. He’s given no indication about retirement.
- Jon Lester: Lester, 38 in January, also pitched better upon a trade to the Cardinals this year. Asked in September about playing in 2022, Lester was reportedly noncommittal. He reached his 200th career win on September 20th.
I believe in the tooth fairy more than Albert’s listed age, but I know why you have to type it.
One silver lining with many of these guys is that they likely need fewer reps in Spring Training to get ready so if Albert or Cruz misses a week or two in March (hopefully), it probably won’t impact their years much.
I think somebody take a flier on Greinke. Cruz gets another look to but on a one year deal.
Why do you not trust Pujols’ age?
Not just me, scouts, GMs, many fans. His real age is the main reason he was drafted so late.
He’s actually made several statements over the years that also point to him being 2-3 years older than his stated age:
Take a look at his picture from his junior year in high school, tell me this guy looks like a teenager: maxpreps.com/news/e7KQPGXm902Q_dadifVTYw/albert-pu…
HHJJ – My wife graduated college with a classmate who looked like she was 15. Lots of people look older or younger than their age.
Yeah, most have real birth certificates, no reason to fudge their age, and don’t slip up and confess the truth a few times a year though.
When I was in high school, there were a few kids (all Americans, born here), who looked like they were already in their 20s at 17. Not saying Pujols wasn’t older, but looking at pictures from high school and using that as evidence doesn’t help your case.
My best friend on the football team in high school used to shave twice a day because the job he had from the time he was 16 didn’t allow guys to have 5 o’clock shadows.
That’s great, I love them for that
There were legitimate baseball-related reasons why Pujols was drafted so late, such as playing for a community college against subpar competition that didn’t see many scouts.
Meanwhile, Pujols’s documentation was at least good enough for the U. S. Government to grant him citizenship at his listed age.
He looks 20 to me in the pic. He actually admitted on some podcast that he was older without realizing it. This is why I love it when the Angels lose. I mean if you are going to hand out a ten year contract to a 32 year old who is most likely two years older, you deserve to lose. Then there is also that stupid name they have. Anaheim isn’t even in L.A. county. It is in Orange county. There is nothing L.A. about Anaheim. As for Mike Trout not playing in October, he didn’t have to sign an extension with them. He should have vowed to leave once they signed King Albert. It is no secret that he is most likely at least two years older than is being reported.
Octavio Dotel…? These guys lied about how old they were because scouts automatically wouldn’t look at them if they were 24, there ceiling would be hampered by there advanced age and these players are viewed as waste of teams resources. I really hope he gets 700 home runs this year.
Happ and Lester both benefited from pitching in front of 5 gold gloves? It’s amazing what pitching in front of good defense will do to your numbers when the right coaching is applied.
I don’t want to see any of these players retire yet
If Pujols was 2-3 years older he still would’ve been only 21 or 22 when applying for the draft, so that argument doesn’t hold water.
I remember there was a scout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays who begged and pleaded Tampa’s GM to draft Pujols. He just kept yammering away at the GM all spring and into summer about Pujols it became a joke in the office. “Sigh, he’s fallen in love with a prospect, it
happens.” When the Cardinals “nabbed” him in the 13th round he was so disgusted and upset he quit in a huff. He was so convinced Pujols was going to be a HOF player and that Tampa Bay blew it big time. Guess he was right…..
Hmm… that sounds very similar to the Derek Jeter story. Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser served as a scout with the Houston Astros. Living in Michigan, he was obviously aware of Jeter having scouted the crap out of him. Newhouser pushed Astros management hard to select Jeter with their first round pick. The Astros selected Phil Nevin. The Yankees selected Jeter. Newhouser quit. The rest is history.
Let’s be real: Even if the Rays (or Devil Rays at the time) had drafted him, they would’ve traded him when he first hit arbitration, anyway.
I remember that guy. I had forgotten Pujols was the player. I thought something similar may have happened with Mike Trout. If I remember correctly whoever it was quit pretty much right away and is open about that being the reason. He was so confident he didn’t even wait for the player to actually hit the majors before he quit.
That was my
first thought:
how long
would they
have kept him?
I wish I could
remember his
name…..
His actual age is a moo point (cows opinion….doesn’t matter). He could be 42 or 82, he is what he is at this point in his career. If you get him, it’s to pinch hit or occasionally DH with him when you need a home run. Mostly he’s there to sell tickets if he gets close to 700 hrs.
Maybe play first as an emergency option once in a blue moon.
If the NL gets a DH, I could see St Louis giving him min salary contract for one last year. Worst case he can be a good veteran presence….not that they don’t already have that with Yadi.
@afsooner02, I love a good Friends reference. Good job!!
Exactly.
At this point, look for a team whose current first baseman has bad splits vs. lefties, maybe has a DH that is subpar vs. lefties, and has some room to carry a guy who won’t play very often.
Ironically, the Angels pitched that plan to him and he didn’t want it. He did accept it with the Dodgers. I think he might end up back in LA.
Ironically, the Angels didn’t need to cut his playing time in the first place if they had just played Walsh full-time in RF. It’s not like the mess of AAA outfielders they called up after Fowler and later Trout hit the IL were hitting any better than Pujols was.
The Angels got a 100 OPS+ out of Taylor Ward and 90 from Jo Adell. From 2017 through 2020, Pujols put up OPS+ of 80, 91, 92 and 79. His OPS+ was 32 when the Angels released him. The only reason he managed to put up an OPS+ of 101 with the Dodgers is he had reduced playing time, which he didn’t want to accept with the Angels. If the Angels had kept Pujols as a full-time starter he probably w0uld have put up worse numbers than Ward and Adell managed.
And hit into a lot of double plays.
You know that if Pujols is older than he is that we’ve seen some of the greatest age-related stats ever. So it doesn’t matter to me how old he is.
His stats haven’t been good though
Age adjusted is the key phrase here. Very few guys have played at 45.
Yes, I read a great article taking Albert’s stats and trend lines and comparing them to other great hitters. If you move his actual age up 3 years his patterns fall right in line with them.
It also means that the Angels had pretty much no hope of reaping value from his contract as the decline from age 35 on is brutal and was going to happen 1 year into the contract not 4.
Not really.
Very few guys play at 45, because they can’t play at a Major League level anymore. If Pujols was 44 last year, he was able to play better than almost every other MLB player in history at age 44, retired or not.
Meanwhile, if Pujols was really 39 instead of 36 in 2016, he likewise was better than almost all MLB and former MLB players at that age, even most Hall of Fame hitters! Meanwhile, it’s actually quite common to see a much steeper decline around age 37 like Pujols had in 2017.
Even the beginning of his decline phase starting at age 31 isn’t all that uncommon.
Before writing Mr. Pujols off, just a few numbers to raise an eye brow or two
Last year his Splits … lefty vs. righty pitching
Lefty. / Righty
AB. 136. / 139
H. 40 / 26
HR. 13 / 4
BA. .294 / .180
OPS. .939 / .500
Oh and on his way to making only THREE errors in 507 chances….a fielding % of. 994 !
I understand the economic side of the business of baseball, and also how he could be taking away at bats from a younger prospect…
BUT, from a baseball sense….does he deserve play time vs. Lefty’s ?
Perfect bench player to fill in at 1B vs. lefty’s ?
And let’s not forget this is a first ballot and first class Hall of Farmer who deserves and has earned the respect
I’m not sure why Greinke and Cruz are even in question here. Of course someone will sign Greinke. He started 30 games, pitched 170+ innings, had an above average ERA+. Plenty of teams would have an interest. Cruz hit 32 HRs with a 130 OPS+. Multiple AL teams will want him, and pretty much most NL teams once they confirm the Universal DH. Be surprised if most of these players don’t find a new home, or a return to their current teams, with some landing pricey deals, even if for one season. Certainly Nelson Cruz.
Greinke has always marched to his own drummer. I think in his case it wouldn’t be because he doesn’t have any offers, but that he’ll just decide one day to be done.
Cruz is an interesting case. If last year in Tampa was the “real” 42 year old Nellie, then no one is gonna want him. It’s a complete waste to pay $13m or what have you to an absolute DH-only player who’s league average. There may well be a team out of 30 willing to take that risk, but it’s a closer call than you think, and if his market is AL only there’s a real chance he won’t get a big enough offer for him to take it.
Are you saying he’d retire rather than give up a few million if he doesn’t get the offers he expects? I think he’d rather continue playing for $5-7M (plus maybe some incentives) rather than hold out into the regular season or retire.
The Yankees had the same misgivings a few years after they signing Contreras. Record management in many of these countries leaves a lot to be desired. Remember that “kid” Alomonte who pitched in international LLWS 20yrs ago? It was discovered that he was 2-3 years older than the maximum LL age.
If Pujols age is 45, then he didn’t start until he was 24? That seems awful late for someone on that level.
I think the belief on Pujols is that he initially lied about his age when he moved from the Dominican so he could enroll in high school instead of adult school, Then after high school he went to Junior College, and was drafted out of Junior College. I don’t think he was on anyone’s radar as a player in the Domincan, it was only after playing high school and JC ball in the US.
All the players listed can get a deal depending on their asking price. Strangely, Pujols might have the most difficult time.
Gardner, Cruz, Lowrie, and Greinke will probably come back. I don’t think they’re done yet.
I hope Zack Greinke pitches next year. Unfortunately it probably won’t be with the Astros. He can certainly help somebody next year, if he chooses to.
Probably a good fit with Braves
He would be an excellent fit with the Tigers and their young pitching.
Any news on Mike Leake? He opted out of 2020 and havent heard anything from him yet
@mets. I wouldn’t consider Leake a star. He’s never been elected to a all star game and only had one standout season way back in 2013 at age 25.
Lester should really consider retiring, but I bet he pitches next season.
If Gardy wants to keep playing do it for another team. Great player but his time has time and gone. Bring in someone younger that’s why I was hoping Yankees brought back Greg Allen. Gardy would make a great coach just don’t take up a roster spot.
Gardner at 38 remains a better player than Greg Allen.
Not saying the Yankees should bring back Gardner, but Allen is the guy you stash in AAA for those few games they need a capable CFer to back up when multiple injuries hit. They’ve already replaced the Allen role with Ender Inciarte.
Gardner’s 4th OFer role should be handled by Hicks and they should then figure out who and/or how they will handle CF in 2022.
Totally agree that Allen is a classic AAAA player. He’ll get you by in an injury crunch, but keeping him on a ML roster all year long will reveal all his flaws despite the heart and soul effort he puts in. In CLE we waited for him to turn the corner, but it was clear that wasn’t going to happen. Hope he still does, but don’t count on him being an ample replacement for Gardy.
If NY’s front office signs Gardner to more than a $1 million contract, they’re really dumb.
Keep throwing it up there Lester those HRs aren’t going to leave the park on their own
Zimmerman was a guy never thought would sit on his big contract with detroit after being such a workhorse for the nat’s, but sure did. Some games just looked like wasn’t max effort. Now probably only way he gets a job is split milb/mlb deal and after the last 5y of low effort? Don’t see him doing it, but retiring. A real shame.
This is about Ryan Zimmerman, not Jordan Zimmerman.
Both Zimmerman’s are mentioned in the article.
LMAO wrong Zimmerman. Also, it wasn’t Max effort that was the issue. He moved to a new league with the DH, so no pitcher easy outs and a whole new division. It was a whole bunch of things. Major leaguers don’t just give up. That’s preposterous
Oh yes some begin to dog it after a decent deal. BJ Upton for the ones with a recent memory, but he showed traits of it sometimes while with the Rays before.
For those fans who have been around and might remember.. Candy Maldonado was another who later on found it difficult getting market value (at the time) and more than 1 year at a time due to his poor performance after each really good season.
And, Rick Porcello. Wow. I’m kind of stunned he was never signed in 2021.
That kind of surprised me too. Had a rough 2020 but you’d think someone would want a solid veteran to eat innings.
He didn’t play in 2020. Last game was in 2019.
Incorrect. 12 games for the Mets in 2020.
Was thinking the same thing as well as wondering why he’s not mentioned on this article as he’s only 32 or 33
I have Greinke down on my picks as retired, with Zack tho you never know what you might get!!
Tigers will end up signing Greinke to mentor their young pitchers
Based on what? He has a reputation of not speaking with teammates and odd behavior. What would indicate a good mentor? I don’t get why everyone thinks a vet is a leader or mentor. No one has every worked with a grumpy old person.
Just spitballing here, but maybe its because when you watch Astros games Greinke spends all his time on the bench talking to other pitchers.
No he doesn’t. Now your making stuff up. I am just repeating what has been reported.
@ JayHeck2158′
Greinke would be perfect for the Tigers. But I’d guess he would want to be with a team that had a shot at going deep into the playoffs.
He is a bit individualistic. And he’s made hundreds of millions of dollars. I could see him sitting out the first 2-3 months of the season, picking a team and signing with them. He’d be more effective pitching 100 innings in 2022.
He’s gave no indication during the season he wants to retire, even saying he planned to play a few more seasons.
Although he does have self-imposed limitations due to his anxiety, he will find a team willing to pay. Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him return to Houston either.
I wonder if those are his limitations, or perhaps the teams that are the ones concerned? I do remember his agent was trying to engage the Yankees when he was originally a free agent, but the Yankees were concerned how he’d handle the NY fishbowl and media. It’s also possible Greinke didn’t want to pitch in NY, but wanted to engage the Yankees to try and increase his price.
The Marlins seem like a good fit. Greinke pitched for Mattingly for 3 years in LA, and whether he speaks to those young Marlins pitchers or not, it would be good for Alcantara, Rogers, Lopez and Thompson just to watch the guy work. I’m not an Astro fan, but it was awesome seeing Greinke pitch the way he did in the WS. In and out, up and down, changing speeds, mixing up pitches, it was art that many of the young MLB hard throwers on every team could learn from. And lets face it, if the guy wants no media coverage at all (maybe even no fans at all) Miami is the place to pitch!
Add Kershaw to your list. He may pull a Posey.
Yep. I suspect he will in fact. I think he’s been pitching through more pain than he has let on these last few years, and he’s got loads of off-field interests to pursue post-career.
Yet, he’s still better than most pitchers in MLB, statistically. I think he will come to terms with LAD for one more season.
Happily take him on the Yankees, but I can’t see him leaving California for NY. Seems like it’s a return to the Dodgers, or maybe pitch closer to home for the Rangers.
Teams need to look at all the AAAA types signing overseas. Those typical AAAA guys who can give you some innings or play a utility role from injuries, are gone. It’s going to be young kids who need seasoning that are all that’s available. I bet some older players like these get contracts.
Only a few guys are signing overseas. The fact that there’s a story every few days in MLBTR about a guy signing in Japan or Korea doesn’t mean they amount to a significant number, just that in a normal off-season there wouldn’t be a story. Both leagues strictly limit the number of foreign players their teams can sign, in fact.
you may be right that it’s not more. However it certainly isn’t a ‘few guys’
Isn’t that racist ? Haha
Out of this list it’s Cruz and Grienke most likely to get jobs. Neither really dropped off to such a point they can’t be productive. They are likely HoF’ers who are far from their peak but aren’t washed up either. Grienke is still a #3 or #4 guy for most rotations and Cruz is an average hitter playing DH.
Nelson Cruz won’t make the HOF… there was that whole PED thing….Barry and the rocket called him to let him know lol that way you don’t have to!!
That was true, but with Ortiz about to be elected on the first ballot, that argument is no longer as strong. Enough BBWAA members could fall back on “he was suspended” for PEDs as a reason not to vote for him, but of course, Bonds and Clemens were never suspended either. Bottom line, the BBWAA are pulling these votes out of their a**.
I think David Ortiz’s PED case was a little different than Bonds’ and Clemens. Not saying he’s scotch free, but very different ways each were shown to use roids.
Sure, but BBWAA members used to say anyone with a sniff of steroids, or who failed a test, or was on the 2003 leaked list, or was even suspected would never get their votes. Then they softened, and started electing players who they not only suspected, but they knew took PEDs, but never failed a test, like Piazza, Bagwell and Ivan Rodriguez. Then they moved the line to those who were on any list, or who were credibly accused, but now they’re about to throw that caveat out the window with Ortiz. BTW The leaked list that Ortiz was on was the same one A-Rod, a greater player, was originally on. They showed him no mercy. He fortunately made it easy for them by failing a second test. Too bad. It would have been fantastic if both Ortiz and A-Rod were on the same ballot, failing the same 2003 test, to see how the BBWAA handled it.
It’s silly that the HOF will include players like Piazza, Bagwell and Ortiz, but not McGwire or certainly Bonds and Clemens, who were HOFers before the PED accusations. At least someone like Tom Verducci has held steady in his voting. Most of the other writers are all over the place. Jon Heyman votes for Bonds buy not Clemens? I don’t have a problem with Ortiz being elected. I have a problem with the writers creating inconsistent rules that they clearly will ignore if they happen to like a certain player.
sosa never failed a test but he is not in. so, neither should Ortiz be.
Average hitters playing DH are not worth signing to a substantial contract. Every team in baseball has a couple guys in AAA who can do that, not to mention any number of professional hitters who are poor fielders that sign for a couple million bucks or a minor league deal every year. I think he may be done, or at least this is his last year.
The deals aren’t going to be there for several of these guys. They won’t want to play for a salary that would make it easy for their new teams to DFA them, they won’t get the playing time to satisfy their egos. Takes a special former star to be able to accept a bench/supportive role. In their heads, they still think they have it. No knock on them–it happens to many. And all these minor league contracts being signed right now are intended to provide not just depth, but also a means of delaying promotions of some of the younger talents for service time manipulation.
Bartolo Colon pitched a decent season in Mexico. He hasn’t officially retired yet.
The likely answer is yes, some of these players have played their last game. The question is which ones? Pujols probably has but who knows if the NL gets the DH. I don’t know if he has 21 bombs left in him but he would sell some tickets trying to reach 700.
The trend has been toward younger, controllable players which is why the average MLB salary has been going down, not up. So if any of these guys want to play in 2022, they probably have to settle for a lot less than they have become accustomed.
Several reasons for the average salary going down. Covid, of course. But the players negotiating for a 26th man means the payroll gets spread over more players. That extra player didnt add any revenue. I know I didn’t buy an extra ticket to watch Willie Castro sit on the Tigers bench.
How many of the 40 man roster are on the active roster (25 or 26) is irrelevant financially (other than the per diem, which is much higher in the majors). They all make major league minimum.
Lester should sign and so should most of them except maybe Albert…
As long as he’s open to a one-year deal from maybe BAL, COL, or CIN, but there’s a bit more to Lester than declining performance – he still can’t throw to first.
If I’m a GM, I’d take a shot on Grienke. The others should stay home.
Really? Nelson Cruz should stay home?
Yes actually. There isn’t a team in baseball that can’t find a AAAA kid or cheap vet who can hit league average as a DH. You have to believe Cruz has another dead cat bounce in him, which someone probably will, but most won’t. There’s also a penalty you pay for having a DH-only guy taking up a roster spot. You lose the ability to give your best hitters a day off from fielding. The hurdle to being a productive player as a DH-only is pretty high, and league average don’t cut it.
@ seamaholic 2;
A lot is wrong with what you’re writing.
1. Many players that make MLB team’s don’t hit league average. I find it hard to believe that a bunch of AAAA guys can.
2. Today’s MLB teams usually have 13 position players on their roster during the year, and their manager uses most of them in each game. With all due respect to the DH coming to the NL, most teams will not employ a full-time DH (same as the AL) .
3. IF a team employs a full-time DH, they’ll expect him to hit well over league average. He’s taking up one of 13 position player slots and cannot play the field. He’d better hit!
@seamaholic…what @Samuel said.
Additionally, Cruz had a 130 OPS+. That’s exactly the type of production you can slot into the DH spot. That’s not league average. That’s 30% above league average, and btw, league average is actually good, although not quite good enough to be a DH, where more offense is expected. Average DH, IIRC, is around a 114 OPS+. Cruz beats that easily. Every year he beats it easily. You pay for that consistency at DH. He’s never had a dead-cat bounce because, well, he’s never died. Never had an off year at the plate.
I understand what you’re saying in that his time in Tampa was only a little above league average, but a player has to be judged on his season. It’s pretty unlikely he aged out as soon as he put on a Rays uniform. Multiple teams will pay to find out if the boom stick can still boom. He’ll simply be limited to a one year, but well-paying deal.
No MLB team has 130 OPS+ hitters they can simply pull up from the minors unless they’re top prospects. They don’t even have league-average hitters they can pull up easily. Once again, league average is not easy. Many, many players hit below league average, very few players hit 30% above league average, which is what Cruz did in 2021, and what he’s done for his entire career.
“Instead of putting the finishing touches on rosters with a sprinkling of February or March one-year MLB deals”
=================================
This makes it seem like baseball’s front offices can only do one thing at a time. How hard is it to offer someone $1M, take it or leave it.
We only hear about the ones that take it. Who knows how many offers are “leave it?”. We heard about Correa turning down 10/275. If Niko Goodrum turns down an offer from the White Sox, for $1MM, I doubt it will get out, or even be considered newsworthy.
Man I hope that wasn’t Pujols’ last plate appearance with him going down on strike three against Matzek. Nothing against Matzek, but I wanted Pujols to go out on more of a high note. Hopefully, he at least gets one more chance to hit.
For nostalgic purposes I see your point. But when you’re a 42 (45?) year old player, your chances at finishing strong diminish considerably.
Do not know about finishing strong but Albert hit 17 home runs in 2021. Great influence on the team and did not embarrass himself in any way. Would love to see him back on Dodgers, if DH. Is in the National League.
I think Grenkie will get a one-year deal somewhere. Aside from 2020, he’s pitched at least 170 innings in 12 of his last 13 seasons. Even if he isn’t an ace anymore, a 3.80-400 ERA pitcher who gives you 170-200 IP a year is extremely valuable.
Yes, thee are a number of contending teams that would be happy to have him as their #4-5 starter – Braves, Angels, Mets, White Sox, Jays, Yankees, Mariners, etc. It depends on how much he wants and what they can afford to pay.
Lol he refused to sign in the ALE in his prime. Jay’s and NYY should stay away from Grienke.
He “refused to sign” in big media markets that disect and scrutinize every little thing that happens in every single game because of depression/anxiety issues. I imagine even today he still wouldn’t sign with teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, or Phillies no matter how much money they were willing to offer.
Zack is not a number one starter type anymore (on most teams) but he is still a solid middle of the rotation option. I could see the Tigers (as mentioned in other posts), Mariners, Giants, Cardinals, even the Rangers for Grienke
Grienke, Happ, Cruz, and Lester will likely play next year unless they choose not to. Zimmerman and Gardner at this point aren’t likely to play for anyone other than their original teams. Lowrie is tough because he had a solid season but once again proved the only place he seems to stay reasonably healthy is Oakland. Pujols would benefit the most with having a DH in the NL. Without it i don’t see many teams carrying a 1B only player who can barely play 1B. At least with a universal DH someone would probably give him a chance and try to cash in on the 700 HR chase
Not to mention, he almost can’t run at all. It was embarrassing seeing him trying to trot down the line. Mickey Mantle with one leg ran better than Albert. I always tell my kids, steroids mess your body up. All that heavy lifting and extra muscle carry for his legs destroyed him.
Completely agree, he was an awesome player once upon a time, but he’s not even a shell of himself today and I wouldn’t waste a spot on my 40 man roster for him, just keeping it real. Unfortunately, he won’t be able to get to 700 because most teams would acquire him as a pinch hitter. Needs 21 homers to reach that mark and unless he plays regularly, which I doubt very seriously, he ain’t reaching that milestone, unless its a team not aspiring to get into the playoffs.
The well is dry with Pujols and he just doesn’t know it, however, that doesn’t matter as GMs are the ones to know and they do. Pujols is a sloth, he can’t run, has soft contact when he’s able to catch up to the ball and his defense is questionable now than ever before. He would be a good power bat as a pinch hitter for a team without aspirations of getting into the playoffs.
Add Cole hamels to that list as well.
He seems to be done and needs to hang it up while there’s still clear memories of his dominant prime years.
this list reads as the has been hall of fame selection
Lol he refused to sign in the ALE in his prime. Jay’s and NYY should stay away from Grienke.
All I care about is that Greinke gets to his target milestones: mlb.com/news/zack-greinke-wants-10-homers-10-steal…
Stupid universal DH…
At 219 wins, Greinke has a shot at reaching 230 in 2022.
Happ is at 133 wins, so while he likely wouldn’t reach 150, he very well could hit 140, maybe even 145.