Veteran third baseman Evan Longoria is still “weighing his options” regarding his future ahead of the 2024 season, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Reporting back in October indicated that while the 38-year-old was undecided on his future, he was “leaning” towards playing in 2024.
A veteran of 16 MLB seasons, Longoria was selected third overall in the 2006 draft by the then-Devil Rays and rose to prominence in the big leagues quickly, becoming an All Star in each of his first three major league seasons. During that time, he posted a strong .283/.361/.521 slash line while collecting MVP votes in each year along with two Gold Glove awards, a Silver Slugger award, and the 2008 Rookie of the Year award. Longoria spent ten seasons as the face of the franchise in Tampa, appearing in 1,435 games with the club and slashing .270/.341/.483 during that time while playing excellent defense at the hot corner.
Longoria’s production took a bit of a dip upon the infielder being shipped to San Francisco prior to the 2018 season. While he hit a decent .251/.312/.438 during his five seasons in San Francisco, that slightly better than average production was a far cry from the star-level production he boasted earlier in his career, and the veteran began to miss time with injuries more frequently after regularly playing 150-plus games during his time with the Rays. Across five years with the Giants, Longoria never appeared in more than 129 games with the club in a season and eclipsed 100 games just twice, in 2018 and 2019.
The veteran’s Giants tenure came to an end last season, when he departed for the Diamondbacks via free agency. In a part-time role with Arizona this year, Longoria flashed considerable power as he slashed .223/.295/.422 with 11 home runs in just 74 games. Notably, Longoria’s production through the season’s first four months was considerably stronger as he raked to the tune of a .238/.303/.500 slash line with 30 extra base hits in just 178 trips to the plate. Unfortunately, Longoria hit the shelf with a lower back strain in late July and struggled badly upon his return, batting just .171 while reaching base at a 27.1% clip and failing to record an extra-base hit over his final 59 trips to the plate last year.
Given the veteran’s age and lengthy injury history, his late-season struggles cannot be completely ignored. With that being said, the form Longoria’s flashed for the majority of the season would represent a noticeable improvement for a number of clubs at the hot corner, particularly given Longoria’s willingness to accept a part-time role. The allure of returning for another season is fairly clear from Longoria’s perspective, as well: he currently sits at 1,930 career hits, putting him just 70 away from the 2,000 hit milestone. He’s also just eight round-trippers away from becoming the 100th player in MLB history to club 350 home runs in his career.
While the 38-year-old hasn’t been publicly connected to any clubs to this point in the winter, there are a few teams for whom he could make some sense, speculatively speaking. The Mets lost infield prospect Ronny Mauricio for the 2024 season due to an injury during winter ball, and Longoria could serve as a veteran mentor and right-handed hitting complement to youngster Brett Baty at third base headed into the 2024 campaign. Meanwhile, the Cubs lack an established third baseman could mix-and-match Longoria with other internal options like Nick Madrigal and Miles Mastrobuoni at the hot corner.
In other words, no one made an offer.
Padres could. He could hold.down the fort while Manny recovers or part-time DH.
Solid vet off the bench.
A transition to left field his final years makes more sense than 3B. And that’s the position we need a full time LF to replace Soto.
Oft injured 38 year old infielders with sub par foot speed and zero outfield experience in majors and minors, don’t transition to the grass. Think about what you’re proposing. The man is closing in on retirement, has played just one game defensively outside of 3rd, yet you want him to be major league corner outfielder replacing Juan Soto.
Well, that’s all they can afford.
The Cardinals seem to love old guys that used to be good. Surprised they didn’t make an offer.
Please tell me you aren’t referring to Arrenado and Goldy here. If so you way missed the mark trying to correlate them here.
If no team makes an offer, the future is decided for him.
Theoretically, he could join, start or buy his own independent league team, but, yes, he would need an offer from an MLB team. If he really wants to play, I’m sure someone would give him a non-roster invite at the very least.
That’s enough, blue barron.
What’s your problem, Alvo? And it’s BARON.
You were rude to me in an exchange 9 months ago. Time for you to have a break from commenting.
It took you 9 months to come up with that? You should take your own advice man.
It didn’t take 9 months. I ordered him to stop commenting for a while months ago and he never followed the order.
Or…………….?
Blue baron time for your nap. It was better on here when you disappeared.
This is valuable baseball insight I’m learning for free. Do you guys teach a class on twitter or something? The amount of baseball knowledge you have must be staggering. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah blue baron is a chump. He doesnt bring anything to this comment section except for tde.
Looks like blue baron got her panties in a twist again. What a scumbag.
@Alvo: You ordered me? Who are you to order anyone to do or not do anything?
I don’t recognize any authority you imagine you carry, and your opinion is of no consequence to me.
Take your hostility and imaginary authority and stick it where you get no sunlight.
That’s what I asked him. ” I ordered him to stop” And I said Or……..? Should have gone further and said ” Or ……else what?
blue baron you’re a little weasel.
LOL. Panties in a bunch? Pot, meet kettle.
Whatever you say, Jack the Wack.
You’re such a goofball. No one likes you on here. Should have stayed away
LOL. If you don’t like it, you also have the option to stay away.
But you need to run along now and get back to work. Your village called. They want their idiot back.
Safe travels!
Whatever YOU say, blue balls-on
You’re so perfect for that gig. I’m surprised the village ever lets you leave.
Safe travels!
Comments like ” You were rude to me” Are followed by the ever popular, ” I order you to stop Or ” I’m telling mom”.
Haha good one
Get a life Blue Balls.
Alvo.. you’ve been butt hurt for 9 months because someone hurt your feelings? lol Go wait tables and fetch me a beer!
Says the dolt who attacked me. Unlike you, I have a life offline.
Where is the Red Baron when you need him? 🙂
@Blue Don’t listen to those meanies. There has to be at least one person who likes you on here. I just might!
blue balls has left the building. That’s the last we’ll be seeing of blue balls on here mark my word!
No it isn’t.
@running: That’s OK, I don’t listen to shmucks like them anyway.
Their opinions are of no consequence to me and I certainly don’t put any stock in them disliking me.
He just answered to blue balls!!! Hahaha I win!
@runningwith you re a good man giving this stubborn grump hope. I’d be surprised if one person on here likes him. You re correct though it’s a possibility.
He is grump, rude, unfriendly, and does so pretty randomly while adding nothing of substance.
All of you are going to confuse him, it’s been years since he’s seen panties….
Haha checkmate! Got em.
When you have to announce “I have a life offline!!!”, you just said “I have no life offline”. A real man wouldn’t need to have to go explaining himself like that. You’re just all around pathetic blue balls.
And here you are, still acting like a shmuck and making a fool of yourself.
What is your major malfunction other than being pathetic?
Major malfunction? Good one blue balls!
I think you re a pompous a$$ and I want miss an opportunity to kick you while you are down and others are doing so. Because to be honest you deserve it.
If you can’t tell there’s a constant sentiment here in regards to you. This is where someone usually says well here is a decent sample size who all share the same opinion and here I am the only one who disagrees. This should be a “maybe it’s me” moment l. Unless of course you are an absolute narcissist and just are not capable of processing such a thing eben though it is reality….
The funny part is while everyone is pointing out how nasty and mean you get and not any person comes to your defense, you double down on the nastiness.
And how would you respond to people being nasty and behaving like shmucks toward you?
I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy it. But I suppose it’s OK to do it to someone else as long as it’s not you.
You and I both know you wouldn’t just say, “Thank you sir, may I have another?”
@Jack: Thanks!
Well a real man would just laugh it off. Especially one with such a busy “offline” life such as yours. Lol
If it was an isolated incident I would be defensive or go on the attack.
This clearly is not an isolated incident though, at this point I’d probably take a look within and take accountability. Clearly I’d see there are numerous people who all have came to the same consensus.
Not saying I would enjoy it either, but nor has anyone enjoyed your nasty remarks that seem to be rather consistent(again multiple above share this opinion). Also again this is where one becomes accountable.
Notice I have not personally attacked and called you names here. You might not like what you here, but this comment is actually good hearted and in your best interest. Feel free to lash out, but my intent is that you do not find yourself piled upon in the future.
Have a good evening
As opposed to whatever pathetic thing you are?
I’m laughing my butt off at you and your ignorance!
That’s ENOUGH blue barron.
Although you know nothing about me and, therefore, you can’t know what’s in my best interest.
And you haven’t attacked and called me names?
“I think you’re a pompous a$$ and won’t miss an opportunity to kick you…and you deserve it.”
No, that’s not attacking or name calling.
As I said, you think it’s OK to do it to someone else as long as it’s not you.
Have a good evening yourself.
I guess its safe to say, blue balls had it coming (no pun intended)
What’s your problem, Alvo Shmuck?
You think one owning their mistakes and taking accountability is ignorance?? That is what I clearly described.
If that’s truly the case it says a lot….
I wasn’t sticking up for anybody as much as I was laughing at the ridiculousness of this whole thread that has absolutely nothing to do with baseball in any way , Shape or Form. From the guy who ordered him to stop, I wonder what plan B was? To the guy who thinks Blue balls is clever I just weep for humanity. I’d guess the average age of most of the guys here between 5 and puberty, Tigers I’m ashamed at both of us. Sad Face goes here.
blue balls isnt clever. Its pure genius.
@Jack You and anyone else on here does not speak for anyone. You have no right to tell anyone they should leave the chat room. If you don’t like what they to say? Too bad everyone has a right to their opinion. So deal with it. Deal with things in a adult matter..Not like a 12 year old.
Now you will have a break from commenting. You can still read, but dont post comments until further notice.
I always love it when someone says “I don’t like what you are saying” following that up with “everyone has the right to their opinion.” You just Can’t. Make. This. Stuff. UP!!!
Asking someone to leave is not a opinion
Its my opinion that he leaves. Therefore its an opinion. Try again.
Whooo Hooo
You lost. Keep trying.
Not necessarily, he can play in Japan if he wants too or sign a minor league deal with whoever’s interested.
Yeah the future people took his job.
I hope he signs a one day contract to retire as a Ray, then I’m sure any team would love to have him on staff.
The Dback’s players loved him for a reason.
I’m surprised he’s still in baseball lol
@Six Shooter: That’s such a fake thing.
Very very solid career. I remember this guy always being a problem as a Devil Ray against the Yankees in the 2010s. Not HOF but hall of very good
He’s right there next to Robin Ventura at 3B section of Hall of Very Good. I would say David Wright but honestly I think he is a HOF caliber player but I see both sides.
Wright barely stayed on ballot. Yes he had talent of a HOF and was trending that way for a time. Injuries simply robbed him opportunity to finish a HOF.
David Wright had a better career than Joe Mauer yet the latter made it into the HOF which is outrageous. Mauer had like 2 amazing seasons. Tim Lincecum had 4 amazing seasons and won’t make it either
Which year did Wright win MVP? Whose career provided more value?? Wright did not have a better career that is simply a false statement.
Don’t get me wrong, although there is no written rule for getting in on first ballot we know what it means. And I do not think Mauer was worthy if getting in that quickly. But what he did with half his career being played at C he was simply more valuable than Wright. And had Wright stayed healthy he’d have likely got in. It’s tragic that he fell under what could have been.
He should retire but had a very solid career. Always was a respectable clubhouse guy too
Very respectable, until he was found guilty of stealing Ho hose and other assorted snack cakes from Carl Crawford and BJ Upton. That’s why he was traded to San Francisco.
He stole hoes? That is against the rules, man.
Pretty sure it was Bj Upton who got mad at Longoria for simply being mad that he didn’t run towards a pop fly
“Weighing his options”??? Thinking you need a new scale, Evan.
I’d rather the cubs roll with Madrigal….
Aaron Harper
No Longoria and no Madrigal.
Since Chapman to play 3B, looks like the Blue Jays, Angels and Giants are not too interested. Offer Chapman a two year deal with a higher salary and an opt-out after one year. Then Shaw can take over full time at 3B in 2026.
Chapman, like drugs, Is something to just say no to. This is your brain on drugs- Cut to fried egg. This is your brain on Chapman- Cut to same fried egg.
There will never be another Evan Longoria
Keep going Evan! The game is better with your veteran leadership.
If joe mauer got into the Hall of Fame which is laughable then it will be an outrage if they really do end up actually rejecting Albert and Ichiro and Longoria and Trout from the Hall of fame (word around the campfire.
Keep it up bot, you’re doing great
They rejected Schilling. He’s top 20 in strikeouts all-time.
He’s a 100% cheater. And I’m not talking about the millions he stole from the state of Rhode Island.
Wait. What millions?
It’s actually pretty funny if you think about it: Joe Mauer is in the same bag as Mike Trout and Babe Ruth
Which bag are you speaking of?? The only bag that I’m currently aware of is being current or former MLB players.
Trout is an unquestioned first ballot HOFer.
You would think but maybe not.
Erase ‘a-n-l-e-b-a-l-l” and you will have your real name.
I encourage everyone to look up the old video of Evan Longoria saving a reporter’s life from a foul ball during warmups on YouTube with his baseball instincts. The Bargain Mart Rays lost a lot of cache and ethos inside player circles when
he was traded. He was supposed to be a one-team player. He’s definitely in the Hall of Very Good, the kind of player you see fans wearing jerseys of fro
for* years to come.
That was an advert they made, but it is a cool ad.
I like Longo. He’s a gamer and had some terrific years.
But when you look at his production in his 30’s and then look at Matt Chapman, who some Giants fans are clamoring for, it doesn’t make sense for SFG to sign an aging 3rd baseman.
I think Chappy still has one or 2 really good years left but why pay him for 5 years?
Seriously, a 2 year $40M contract for the end of his peak, why not?
Sorry to break off Longo. If he still wants to play another $4m contract would be good for the right team.
DaveMLaw
Thinking similarly but for Cubs.
If I were the Cubs, I would offer Chapman a two year deal at $45 million, $25 million for 2024 and $20 million for 2025, with an available opt-out after 2024. We have Matt Shaw waiting in the wings.
I know loads of Giants fans, and not one, including myself, wants Chapman. We’d rather have Casey Schmitt. We are totally spent on these mid-tier past-their-prime Longoria types. No more! I’d gladly have Soler though, and wouldn’t even mind a 3yr/team opt deal with Bellinger (which Boras would never take)
What does SF do with JD Davis? He put up decent production and he doesn’t cost much. His defense may be underwhelming – He can DH and play some 1B. Someone to trade alone or in a package I guess.
Seems like SF needs to upgrade the offense and one more solid SP to compete in that division with LAD, AZ, SDP. NOT Snell,
Montgomery has no interest in SF? I guess 5+ years 20-24M
Soler or JDMartinez on a 4 year, 2 or 3 year deal with an opt out that ever player seems to want.
Sure, JD Davis could be traded. And I don’t fear LA in the least. Completely overrated. One unproven pitcher and a pile of question marks for the rest of their staff. At least we have Webb to go along with our question marks! Too bad I’m not a betting man cuz there’s a boatload to be made betting against that team this year.
TIG
“Too bad I’m not a betting man cuz there’s a boatload to be made betting against that team this year”
Come on. Just bet this one. Your house/life savings.
Put your money where your mouth is
The Cubs should be checking him out. Could be a cheap 1 year option who wouldn’t have to play a bunch of games and could hold the fort and maybe even teach Morel some things. Could be used as a late inning replacement or DH in a pinch. Gives Shaw or Busch or Morel or whoever the long term plan is at 3rd an extra year. Doesn’t hurt to drop a dime and call.
The edit button sucks lately. Should say: long term plan at 3rd another year. First it chopped it out then wouldn’t let me fix it.
Then it fixed it. Barbarino- ” I’m soooo confuuuused”
This is exactly what I’d do if I worked for the Cubs. Longo for 1 yr at $4-$9m and let him mentor the kids and provide veteran leadership. He’d be great for the Morel/Shaw/Busch/Canario/PCA group and wouldn’t be blocking anyone’s playing time. If he ends up sucking, then there’s not much to keep the Cubs from releasing him mid-season. A move for a vet like this in February is something that most playoff teams look back on as one of the keys to a successful season.
Gio Urshela seems like he would be a valuable add for the Cubs and many other teams. He shouldn’t cost too much. He is coming off an injury that could be concerning
Padres, not Cubs and at this stage of his career a move to left field his final years before retirement makes more sense and that’s where the Padres are recruiting.
….
He retired years ago.
He fits the Sox’s price tag if they take a chance on him. Can’t be worse than the next guy they sign.
AL East contenders still need work to due to keep up with the Birds from
BAL
NYY, BOS, TB pitching C+?, offense shouldn’t be a problem.
TOR offense lacking, SP solid (B+) IMHO
Speed and defense seems to be an element many teams lack.
SBs, smart baserunning, hit and run (contact hitters) and run prevention is still a solid strategy in my book
It got AZ all the way to the World Series among other reasons
But Arizona didn’t win and stats suggest they were incredibly lucky with that negative run differential.
The Sox already have a third baseman—Yoan Moncada
Maybe he’s waiting for a Desperate Housewives reboot.
What a lame comment. Get a life.
LOL. The d*uche with no life telling others to get a life.
And calling other people’s comments lame!
What a shm*ck.
Baron has a point here Jack Hoff.
Worse comes to worse he can try his hand in acting and producing. He can just use Eva Langoria’s IMDB page to enhance his resume.
Mickey Mantle said his greatest regret was not retiring after the 1967 season. He tried to play in 1968, hurt, he played poorly and retired with a lifetime batting average of .299. It always bothered him that he did not retire a career 300 hitter. No one wants to see a player staying too long. The clown show that was babe ruth with the Boston braves. Retire with dignity.
Willie Mays at 42 in 1973.
Longoria would not be going out on top by any means at this point. It seems pretty unlikely he needs the $ or that there’s much to gain for his. If he wants to hang on cus he loves the game, more power to him.
Your Tigers should sign him.
He actually would be a good fit for them. They need a temporary a solution for 3B. I was hoping for Urshela, but can’t deny that Longo would be an unexciting fit. Even days he’s not playing he’d be a valuable asset for any young player at 3B.
nf
“No one wants to see a player staying too long”
Right
Not one person was happy to see, say, Miguel Cabrera last year. Not a single soul.
Mantle ended up .298 and while he did regret not ending with .300 career BA. He later changed his biggest regret and it regarded sobriety. But had he not played in 68 he doesn’t have over 1500 RBIs.
And yes some players do play what becomes one season to long, while others it ends up working in their advantage. It’s easy to judge in hindsight and question the chances took. Ultimately though they tried which is what counts.
Chances not taken are usually the hardest as one never knows what could have been.
As far as Longo if he doesn’t do well this season, how does that change anything for him??
If the Reds weren’t mostly comprised of infielders already, he would possibly be able to join them and take at-bats away from younger,better players. What a stupendoustically rad idea.
“batting just .171 while reaching base at a 27.1% clip and failing to record an extra-base hit over his final 59 trips to the plate last year”
Why not just put .171/.271.171
Fraham
“Why not just put .171/.271.171”
I liked your comment, but I’d guess the reason would be to emphasize the lack of extra base hits. I’d bet there’s a sizeable portion of the readership that wouldn’t recognize that from the slash line.
Putting On Base Percent as a percent is weirdly weird
Yankees should sign him to be designated runner for stanton
Guess I’m coming home
Yeah you know I’m coming home someday
You know I’m coming home
I’m coming home some way
Longoria would be a great veteran presence on many younger teams. Especially those in need of righty DH/3B to play the weak side of a platoon. If MLB stopped holding cities hostage by threatening to move and just expanded already. Guys like Longoria would have a job.
What a player like Longo could provide to young 3B I think goes a bit beyond a typical veterans presence. But it does describe it broadly.
In my opinion veteran presence is just an asset to a team all around. Kind of a leadership position from within that is not an authority figure. Longo obviously fits this and would benefit every young team to some extent.
There are also scenario(s) where a position or position group is particularly raw and they could just use tips or someone to go to for tips or advice in that particular position.
Padres. (Shift to Left Field though). Need a Soto replacement ASAP.
He’s better than what the Tigers have planned for 3B, this year.
I’d love to sign Longoria but push him to left field as means for replacing Juan Soto.
Another affordable righty DH the Guardians will take a pass on. CLE is a team that I’ve concluded is highly allergic to addressing their needs. They won’t even do it with a gun to their head, and this has been going on for years.