With the Diamondbacks still in the thick of a playoff run, third baseman Evan Longoria surely hasn’t had much time to ponder whether or not he’ll continue playing beyond the 2023 season in recent days. That being said, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale indicated today that the veteran, who celebrated his 38th birthday over the weekend, is “leaning towards” playing again in 2024, though he’s made no official decision at this point.
That Longoria would consider playing beyond this season is of little surprise. In part time duty with the Diamondbacks this season, the veteran has slashed .223/.295/.422 with a wRC+ of 92 in 74 games. Those numbers are decent for a part-time player, but what really sticks out is Longoria’s performance prior to being shelved for a month with a lower back strain at the end of July. At the time of his injury, Longoria’s slash line was an impressive .238/.303/.500 with 11 home runs and nine doubles in just 178 plate appearances. Those well above average numbers and the significant power Longoria flashed would make him a useful addition to plenty of teams, particularly given his apparent willingness to accept a part-time role.
What’s more, a career milestone could be within reach for Longoria if he returns in 2024: the veteran has 1,930 hits for his career to this point, putting him just 70 away from 2,000 career hits. While Longoria hasn’t reached 70 hits in a season in recent years, he’s come very close with 66- and 65-hit campaigns in 2021 and 2022, respectively. If he decides to continue playing in 2024, he’d join a free agent class at third base that includes Jeimer Candelario, Matt Chapman, and Gio Urshela.
More from around MLB’s West divisions…
- Though he was left off the Rangers’ roster for the ALDS, veteran right-hander Max Scherzer is seemingly making good progress in his bid to return from what was initially expected to be a season-ending teres major strain. As relayed by Rangers beat reporter John Moore, Scherzer told manager Bruce Bochy today that he feels “normal” after a successful bullpen session against live hitters on Friday. Given the positive update, it seems reasonable that Scherzer could remain in play for the Rangers during the ALCS, should the club make it that far. Texas currently holds a 2-0 lead over the Orioles in the ALDS. If Scherzer can return this postseason, it would surely be a major boost for the Rangers. The future Hall of Famer posted a 3.20 ERA and 3.45 FIP across eight starts with the Rangers after the club acquired him from the Mets at the trade deadline.
- Astros fans received a bit of a scare during last night’s loss to the Twins when shortstop Jeremy Pena suffered an awkward landing on first base while running out the final out of the game. Fortunately, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle relayed this afternoon that Pena was on the field and taking grounders during the club’s workout session during today’s off-day in Minnesota. Given Pena’s participation in the workout, it seems whatever may have been ailing Pena won’t be an issue headed into Game 3 of the ALDS tomorrow. Pena, who hit .263/.324/.381 in 634 trips to the plate this season, would likely be backed up by Mauricio Dubon at shortstop in the event that he was unable to play.
The Ray’s always seem to get rid of players before their down years.
Will Longo get in first ballot or will it take a few years?
No chance on the first ballot, and his case is marginal at best.
Definitely belongs in the Rays hall of fame if they have one.
Eh, maybe not at all. Longoria will retire with an impressive resume. He’ll likely retire top ten in home runs among 3Bs (he’s only 9 away), with over 1200 RBI, 2000 hits, and 60 career bWAR. But even if he only breaks 60 bWAR, that’s below the average HOF 3B. The average career bWAR and JAWS for a Hall Of Fame third baseman is 68.4 and 55.8, respectively. Longo is currently at 58.6 and 50.3 in each number. His .264/.333/.471 triple-slash and 116 OPS+ are good, but not over the top. Home runs and doubles are the only two counting stats he’ll rank among the best 3Bs in.
His trophy case isn’t overflowing with accolades, but he doesn’t lack any either. Three all-star games and Gold Gloves, a Silver Slugger, Rookie Of The Year award, and six seasons with MVP votes, but only ranked top ten or better in just one of those years.
It might come down to how much voters like his defense throughout his career. Assuming he keeps playing a solid 3B, and doesn’t move to 1B, or take a massive decline, which at 38 is always a question, he’ll likely reach +100 defensive runs saved, a feat just 21 players have accomplished since its creation in 2003. He is currently at 97.
I know some will compare him to Scott Rolen, which I can see why. They have a similar OPS+ with Rolen at 122 and Longo at 119, Longoria is only 147 hits away from matching Rolen, Longoria has more home runs than Rolen by 26, but 128 fewer RBI. Both have one ROY and Silver Slugger, but I think many people overlook just how good Rolen was defensively at third base. He played his first 899 games in the pre-DRS era, and still reached +116. He has over 20 career dWAR.
We’ll see how voters view Longoria. In my opinion, if he ever makes it in, it’ll be through a veterans committee vote. A lot of people complain about the HOF and say that the classes are getting weaker and weaker, when in reality, its harder than ever to get into the HOF. Rolen is probably the best baseline for third basemen looking to make the HOF. Very similar WAR, JAWS, WAR7 to the average HOF 3B, and overall just a really good career. Is Longo better than Rolen? I’d argue not.
Great analysis 1225!
This was a phenomenal analysis. Thank you
Longoria= Ron Santo
First ballot? Scott Rolen would scoff knowingly at this idea.
Who cares what Scott Rolen thinks. He shouldn’t be in the HOF either.
@GarryHarris: But he is, and you don’t get a vote.
Garry, I would have voted for Rolen and am happy he’s in. My point was, if Rolen had to wait several years for induction, Longoria will have to wait at least that long, and maybe forever. He has zero chance of being a first-ballot inductee.
Also, what Blue Baron said.
Writers’ don’t have standards Scott Rolen was a good player but never great.
As is your knowledge level.
It’s always confusing when people mention first ballot, even for guys you know will get in. Longoria has a better chance of not getting in, so mentioning first ballot is just plain baffling.
@Beff Jagwell: Baffling is being kind. Stronger words come to my mind.
HOF? (Insert face palm emoji)
It’d be cool if Scherzer can come back. Sounds like he’s there. I picked Texas as an Upset. We’ll see.
It wouldn’t be much of an upset for them to beat Houston or Minnesota.
Let’s all laugh at the Dodgers who, once again, are choking it up in October. AZ isn’t messing around.
DBacks are playing with house money right now; they have every reason to play fast and loose.
Just curious, highheat, who started using the phrase “playing with house money” relative to the D-backs postseason. Was it Gallen? Or the guy at PHNX Sports?
Could not tell you Boazona; I only heard Gallen say it during that post-game interview; so if PHNX Sports said it before then, I’m inclined to say it was them first.
To be clear, though, that’s a pretty common phrase where I grew up (near many reservation casinos), so I used that before knowing either of them said it (not saying that I said it first, but I don’t know who it was originally, because I came to that conclusion independently).
Better than the Mets, Padres, Yankees, and Rays
Tired:
“A .238 BA is well above average?!”
Inspired:
“A .303 OBP is well above average?!”
Maybe Tired and Inspired are from Lake Wobegon where all the children are above average? (Tip of the hat to Garrison Keillor.)
Give ‘em a break, men love saying 5 is above average!
Scherzer may actually makeva World Series return possible. It seems like 2011 all over again, with Arizona playing St. Louis. The question would be: who blows the first save, and who blows the second save?
I think Longo might get in via the Veteran’s Committee process. I do believe Rolen deserves to be in. So Longo makes for an interesting case. If he does get in, those people who railed against the Rolen election are going to lose their minds, lol.
Rolen is a lock. Excellent offensively, but head and shoulders above his peers defensively. Longoria belongs in the hall of very good only.
When .238 avg is impressive that is what is wrong with MLB today.
The slugging percentage of .500 certainly sounds better than a slash line of .250/.250/.300 for sure
Careful, you will trigger the geek squad and their stat books. You aren’t taking into account their BABIPQGJKR % when it’s 79 outside with the wind blowing at 2 mph from the NW. When those factors are in play, the player has the best stats in history!
Longoria = Ron Santo
Ron Santo was a better defensive 3B than Brooks Robinson for most of the 60s.
Brooks was an anomaly in that his defense drastically improved once he turned 30 in 67.
I predicted a sweep of Baltimore’s lucky 1-run team, and I was right. I also predicted Houston, Atlanta, and LAD would win. We shall see…