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The end of 2022 will not mark the end of the line for Major League Baseball’s free-agent market, and don’t think there’s no intrigue left just because all the big stars are spoken for.
For instance, consider the dilemmas.
Both players and teams will have to make difficult choices when 2023 arrives. Where to play for a couple of notable of the former, while the latter will have to weigh how much certain players are worth and how much they’re willing to spend.
We have eight to get to, starting with the players.
Where Will Evan Longoria Continue His Career?
Atop the leaderboard for service time among free-agent hitters is where you’ll find Nelson Cruz and Robinson Canó, though neither seems to be in demand. Both are north of 40 years old and coming off forgettable seasons.
And then there’s Evan Longoria.
He’s 37 and well removed from his prime as a two-way superstar for the Tampa Bay Rays. Yet he still hit well for the San Francisco Giants over the last two seasons, putting up a 119 OPS+ and 27 home runs in 170 games.
Rather than call it a career, the three-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove Award winner reportedly would like one more chance to win a World Series ring:
That conceivably rules out a return to the Giants, who don’t look like much of a threat to the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Diego Padres after Carlos Correa escaped their grasp. Despite their apparent interest, the Arizona Diamondbacks aren’t right for Longoria either.
Then again, there’s always the possibility that no contenders come calling with a role as a full-time player or even as a platoon option. In that case, Longoria might have to take a chance on a long shot for the ’23 World Series.
Where Will Zack Greinke Continue His Career?
If there’s a pitching equivalent to Longoria on the free-agent market, it’s surely none other than Zack Greinke.
The 39-year-old has just about done it all since he broke into the majors back in 2004. He’s won the American League Cy Young Award. He’s collected six All-Star nods. He’s won both Gold Gloves and Sliver Sluggers. And he’s pitched in two World Series.
Like Longoria, however, Greinke has yet to win a ring.
As he’s 25th among starting pitchers on the all-time JAWS list, Greinke doesn’t necessarily need one to be worthy of Cooperstown. It’s a thing worth rooting for, of course, but whether he cares about what other people care about is always a good question.
It therefore wouldn’t be surprising if Greinke takes up the Kansas City Royals on their interest in bringing him back following their reunion in 2022. But there’s bound to be overtures from other teams after he pitched to a 111 ERA+, which would give him with the opportunity to opt for something other than the familiar.