Third baseman Evan Longoria has signed a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The third baseman is guaranteed $4 million and could make up to another $1 million in bonuses. The news was first reported by Jon Heyman, followed by Nick Piecoro.
Option Declined
On November 10, Longoria’s $13 million contract option with the San Francisco Giants was declined, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. Longoria had three teams on his list that he would like to play for. The Giants and the Tampa Bay Rays were his top two choices. The third team came as a surprise—the Arizona Diamondbacks. Signing with Arizona made sense, however, knowing he has a home in Scottsdale.
Last Five Seasons
Evan Longoria comes to the Diamondbacks after spending the last five seasons with the San Francisco Giants. He batted .250 with 70 home runs and 239 RBI during that time. The 37-year-old has been hampered with injuries in each of the last two seasons but still played a combined 170 games in 2021 and 2022.
What he Brings
What Longoria brings to the Diamondbacks is his veteran leadership, both on the field and in the clubhouse. While he is not the same player he once was, the organization decided to add him to provide his leadership to an up-and-coming but young team. His role on the team will most likely be as a part-time player and platoon with Josh Rojas and Emmanuel Rivera.
Hitting
He should be an asset on the offensive side versus left-handed pitchers at Chase Field. The Diamondbacks could use a veteran right-handed hitter to balance out their lefty-heavy lineup. Longoria is the fourth right-handed hitter of note that the Diamondbacks have added this winter. Outfielders Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Kyle Lewis, along with catcher Gabriel Moreno, were added to the roster earlier this off-season. In his career, Longoria has a .281 batting average with 101 home runs and 337 RBI in 2,269 plate appearances. If he can stay healthy and contribute, this deal will turn out to be a positive one, benefitting not only Longoria and a young team but the fans as well.
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Players Mentioned:
Evan Longoria, Josh Rojas, Emmanuel Rivera, Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Kyle Lewis, Gabriel Moreno
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