Two-time All-Star Todd Frazier is set to announce his retirement today, he tells Greg Joyce of the New York Post. “(Baseball) has been my love my whole life,” the third baseman said. “It’s very hard to let go. Don’t get me wrong, it’s one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever made in my life. But where I’m at in my career and where I’m at in my life, I think it was the right decision. I think it’s time to be that family figure that I’ve always wanted to be.”
Frazier has appeared in the majors in each of the past 11 seasons. A supplemental first-round pick out of Rutgers by the Reds in 2007, Frazier emerged as one of the sport’s most promising prospects within his first couple pro seasons. He debuted in the big leagues in 2011 and cemented himself at the hot corner in Cincinnati not long thereafter.
In 128 games in 2012, Frazier hit a productive .273/.331/.498 en route to a third-place finish in NL Rookie of the Year balloting. After a roughly league average showing the following season, he broke through as one of the better position players in the game. Frazier combined for a .264/.322/.479 showing between 2014-15, averaging 32 home runs per season. He was selected to the Midsummer Classic in both years and won the 2015 Home Run Derby in front of a home crowd in Cincinnati.
The rebuilding Reds moved Frazier to the White Sox as part of a three-team deal with the Dodgers the following winter. He spent a season and a half in Chicago, not quite reaching his peak Cincinnati level but still offering solid production. The Sox moved him to the Yankees midseason in 2017, and he spent the following two years in Queens after signing with the Mets that offseason. Frazier continued to hit at a decent level throughout that run. His batting average and on-base percentage gradually ticked down, but he popped 39 homers during his first two seasons as a Met.
Frazier’s 499 plate appearances in 2019 proved his last extended MLB workload. He signed with the Rangers over the 2019-20 offseason, then ended up back in Flushing when the Mets acquired him at the trade deadline. Frazier struggled down the stretch, though, and New York bought him out that winter. He hooked on with the Pirates last offseason and played in 13 games before being released in March.
That marked an end to Frazier’s time in the big leagues, but it didn’t bring his playing career to a complete conclusion. He was among a handful of respected veterans to represent the U.S. as part of last summer’s Silver Medal-winning team at the Tokyo Olympics.
Frazier wraps up his career with a .241/.318/.445 slash line in a bit under 5,000 MLB plate appearances. That production was seven percentage points better than league average in aggregate, by measure of wRC+, and he had three seasons with a wRC+ north of 115. A well-regarded defender for the bulk of his career, Frazier got plus marks from both Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating. He suited up for six different clubs, combining to hit 218 homers and drive in 640 runs. Each of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs valued his career at around 23-24 wins above replacement, a very fine showing that endeared him to Reds fans in particular. MLBTR congratulates Frazier on an excellent run and wishes him all the best in his post-playing days.
Image courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Happy retirement Toddfather!!!
Isn’t that Todd Helton?
I’ve never heard Helton called that. Not saying he isn’t but Frazier is and even had it on his player’s weekend jersey.
I kept waiting for the Todd Father reference in this piece. What a wasted opportunity lol
Seemed like such a dbag to me.
One of the nicest and most accessible guys in the clubhouse who remembered where he can from as the little leaguer with a dream from Tom’s River, NJ. Had Fly Me to the Moon and Fitz and the Tantrums Hand Clap as walkups. And he called out Adam Eaton for his tomfoolery on the Drake Laroche bit. What’s not to like?
Depends which clubhouse you ask.
Nah he was definitely well liked. Probably so accessible to the media that maybe he annoyed some people that being an annoying and good teammate is much better than being a bad teammate.
Totally not. This guy works with kids all the time, and was a very good influence in every clubhouse he was in. I’m biased of course because I’m a Toms River guy, but he’s literally one of the most approachable and nicest guys to play in recent years.
Yes he was o played with him class act ,
Usually if someone thinks a nice guy is a dbag, then they’re actually the dbag.
Or their name is Adam (Eaton, Laroche, West).
Adam West? The late Batman? I can’t say I heard that one. He had a late career resurgence thanks to Seth MacFarlane in Family Guy.
As for the Toddfather, he was fun to watch as a Mets’ and Rutgers fan as he had the whole team behind him. I could see him going into coaching, particularly at Rutgers. I know the Mets are bringing back their old-timers game in August. Daniel Murphy and Bartolo Colon have already committed to play. Maybe Todd will join them.
What’s scary is that old timer lineup of Murphy, the fat one and Frazier would still take the Orioles down, 2 out of 3, and twice on Sundays.
There are plenty of players who did not like Todd Frasier. I don’t know the man, but the dbag comment by the OP is not out of the blue. Maybe Todd is a great dude. Maybe he’s a jerk. You ask his teammates you’ll get split results.
Every body doesn’t like somebody
Like the ole Wilson Pickett/ Blues Brothers jingle jangle: “Everybody. Needs somebody. Somebody to not like.”
For good or ill, the Toddfather had a personality that was charming to some and obnoxious to others.
Or as Kristofferson wrote:
Cause everybody’s gotta have somebody to look down on
Prove they can be better than at any time they choose
Someone doin’ somethin’ dirty decent folks can frown on
If you can’t find nobody else, then help yourself to me
@von
Yep, exactly. Unless you happen to know the guy personally, you have no idea. Ballplayers (and public figures in general) behave one way around the fans and another around their teammates and opponents. They are also intensely competitive people who sometimes don’t like each other.
@vonpurplehayes Todd was one of the last players to honestly and enthusiastically cheer on his teammates. From the field. From the bench. True, some players don’t like that
But I think it set a good example for kids who watch baseball. I’d rather have 9 Todd Fraziers on the field than 9 of a lot of others.
That or flakes of snow surround them 24-7.
Mets seemed to have great on field and clubhouse chemistry with Todd. Hope he ends up in baseball as a coach.
Ah dry up.
Has Rickey Henderson officially retired yet? Last I heard he was still playing in the independent leagues, well into his 50’s.
Must be tough to not know anything but a professional athletes path and then by 40 it is over and you have to do something else. Assuming you aren’t a superstar or didn’t save a good chunk of your paycheck, if you had at least one good contract.
Lol. Henderson is 63. He has never officially retired- like he’s never announced it or filed the paper work- and if he’s asked about it he’ll kinda imply or say directly that if a team will sign him, he will play and he thinks he’s worth a roster spot, but he wants to be treated like every other actual player put on that roster to play a full season and to win- as opposed to a one day contract to retire with that team or whatever.
His last professional, organized games of baseball were played in 2005 in an independent league.
He hasn’t played in major league baseball since 2003.
The dude is retired, whether he’ll ever admit it or not.
Rickey’s a character. He simply loves the game and loves to play. The career path for most guys like him is to play as long as humanly possible, then slide into coaching at some level. And why not? I’m 46 and would dazzle hitters with my 70mph fastball and left handed knuckleball if I could get away with it.
Met Todd and his wife several times. The nicest people. Congrats on your retirement,Todd.
How soon the baseball world changes. Seven years ago I went to my first Reds game in Cincy and saw Frazier, Jay Bruce, Johnny Cueto and Aroldis Chapman all play at their peaks. It doesn’t seem like that long ago, yet all those guys are in much different stages of their career. It’s crazy.
Awww. And that was a nice little run you had there with the underrated toothpick guy at the helm.
People use the tag line Minnesota nice, but when it comes to ballparks, it’s Cincinnati Red nice. Bought tickets to a Reds game to visit on a cross country drive. Looked like serious storms so kept driving since the game didn’t look like it would be played. They ended up getting the game in. Never picked up my tickets so called them to ask if I could at least get the physical tickets as a keepsake. They sent me the tickets with a card and a note inviting us to attend any game the next time we’re in town complementary. Show up next season and they gave us seats behind home plate and VIP parking. Reds and Royals. 2 of the nicest organizations.
The Reds folks are good people. I can second that.
Votto and Phillips were integral parts of that team also
“Where I’m at in my career” . Yes when no one will sign you, it’s probably best to retire. Good luck in all your future endeavors!
Very enthusiastic player and great clubhouse guy
Didn’t realize he even suited up the last two years. Enjoy the retirement. Wish I could say I retired at 36 years old having made 49 mil. If only I could hit the damn curve!!
Old man Clint and his daughter called you out, did they?
Happy retirement, and a solid career.
Always liked Frazier, 11 years is a great run
Uh oh, Hawk better run and check on him. Down goes Frazier!
do you have multiple-personality disorder
The one and only Toddfather! Best of luck in the future!
Seriously hope he returns to Soxfest and becomes yet another team ambassador. Fan favorite who made an indelible mark in his short time with the team
As a Homer, I can honestly say that he helped make a few rough years on the Southside more enjoyable, and as a father, he made my son’s day with his personable nature. Best of luck Mr. Frazier
He seems like a nice guy but he always also such a clown it was irritating to watch him. A lot of it too was that the camera constantly had to be on him even though he wasn’t a productive player over the last 5+ years.
Yeah bit of that. But being the most popular kid in school, prone to draw the ire from sociopaths. Like Adam Eaton.
Not to mention every game he was playing the announcers constantly mentioned he played in the LLWS.
I think nobody wanted to give you a job, soooo. Retire, or kick around independent leagues. Good decision.
Toddfather has to be a top 10 nickname in mlb history
Todd Helton had it before Frazier.
Down goes Frazier! Down goes Frazier!
Happy Retirement cousin Todd
The todddddd father
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy retirement.
The living embodiment of Kevin Costners Crash Craddock in the clubhouse. Guy who liked to keep baseball fun and didn’t suffer fools. Career highlight might have been reacting to Adam Eatons declaration that he was anointing himself White Sox clubhouse leader after Adam Laroche retired, by pointing and laughing at Eaton, much to the delight of the clubhouse. Then later going after Eaton on the field when they were with the Mets and Nats, respectively.
@Dumpster Divin Theo I get that you don’t like Adam Eaton, but your account here is pretty bias. The clubhouse was pretty divided over the Todd/Eaton skirmish with many siding against the Toddfather. I found them equally annoying, but I don’t know either to be fair.
Stupid bias from this dude. They are both goofballs who were more worried about clubhouse antics than on the field performance.
Oddly enough Frazier was such a good team mate and Eaton such a clown, that they brought Eaton back and not Frazier. Hmm
Dumpster Divin Theo – I think you mean Crash Davis. Crash Craddock was a rockabilly/country musician from the 60’s and 70’s.
You are most correct sir. Tho maybe he can do some rockabilly too
Solid career; 2 all-star games, home run derby champ, just under $50 million (yes I know, probably closer to $40-$45 million after taxes and agent fees), and an Olympic silver medal. Have a good retirement!
Definitely one of those careers that’s really solid and even better than you think when you look at the numbers.
Welp, ig baseball is done now
Now we don’t have to hear about how he played in the Little League World Series every game he plays in.
A class act. Sad to see him leave the game but he knows his time is up. Thanks for your time Todd father!
Adam Eaton was devastated to find out his best friend in the whole wide world has decided to hang up his cleats..
Todd see you in Cooperstown!
…..tickets are $29.95
I hope so, though I doubt it.
Good riddance, T-Bagger.
haha…. Classic
He had a solid career and as a Mets fan, we enjoyed having him on the team. He played hard and seemed to be a good guy. He also had the best walk-up music in baseball – I will never hear “Fly Me to the Moon” again without thinking of him.
Nothing but the best. Todd was a class act.
Congrats on a successful career, enjoy retirement!
2019, i think it was, I kept saying… the way lefties are killing us, we need someone easily attainable with great numbers against lefties. Started my campaign for Hanser Alberto, Kevin Pillar, and/or Todd Frazier. Crazy that 3 friggin years later, 2 finally happened… and in that same year, the 3rd retires. Enjoy the time with your fam, ToddFather!!!
Loved this dude on the Yankees. Great career he had. I wish him the best in retirement
Nice Guy, but why is he the lead story on the White Sox rumors page when he had less than a sip of coffee with the White Sox. Is he the lead story on every team he played for Trade Rumors page? Just asking for a Bunch of teams
Lead story on Mets page
Why?
One of my favorite MLB moments was the home run he it for Teddy the Reds bat boy
He once hit a HR in Cincy and his hands were completely of his bat in the follow through of his swing.. You can Utube it!