Evan Longoria, the 37-year-old veteran third baseman, appears set to hit free agency for the first time in his 15-year career.
Longoria told Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle that the Giants won’t pick up his $13 million club option. San Francisco could buy Longoria out for $5 million or restructure a deal that brings him back between the two figures.
In five seasons with the Giants, Longoria played 477 games and hit .250 with 70 home runs. A variety of injuries limited him to 89 games last year and 81 in 2021.
Late in the season, Longoria acknowledged the reality that he’s not a $13 million player anymore. He also expressed interest in returning to the Giants even if San Francisco declines his option.
“I’m a Giant until I’m not a Giant anymore. I don’t have any desire to go anywhere else,” Longoria told reporters in early October.
But free agency is a new experience for Longoria, who signed a six-year, $100 million contract extension when he was with the Rays that took him through the 2022 season. It’s also unclear if the Giants want Longoria in their plans, considering they have options to play third base in Wilmer Flores, J.D. Davis and the promising David Villar — plus prospect Casey Schmitt waiting to break through.
Though Longoria, when healthy, is still a solid defender and a prolific hitter against left-handed pitching, the Giants are motivated to get younger and more athletic this offseason.
Earlier this week, Longoria posted a cryptic Instagram photo of him trotting to first base at Oracle Park.
If Longoria departs, he’ll leave a leadership vacuum in San Francisco’s clubhouse. He has been among the most respected voices within the club and brought energy throughout last season, even when the team struggled. He bleached his mohawk and once organized an impromptu pregame home run derby to keep things light.
Other possible destinations for Longoria could be Tampa Bay, where he began his career, and Arizona, where his family is rooted.
