WASHINGTON, D.C. — While Jayson Werth found a new home just before the season started by signing Tuesday with the Seattle Mariners, several accomplished veterans will watch Opening Day from their couches instead of partaking in the action.
That must be a sobering thought for the likes of two-time home run champion Jose Bautista and former batting champ Matt Holliday, not to mention closer Greg Holland, who tied for the National League lead in saves last year.
But just because the season is getting underway doesn’t mean a team with a sudden need may not come calling. Here’s a look at some of the better-known commodities still left on the market:
Holland: The St. Louis Cardinals, who sorely need a closer, have long been linked to Holland, but no deal appears imminent. After declining to exercise his $15 million player option and rejecting a $17.4 million qualifying offer from the Rockies, Holland has seen his negotiating position weakened by the draft pick compensation attached to him and by a rough second half in which his ERA soared to 6.38.
Like former teammate Mike Moustakas, Holland may have to swallow his pride and forget about the money he left on the table if he’s going to find a new employer.
Melky Cabrera: His basic offensive numbers from 2017 – a .285 batting average with 17 homers and 85 RBI – suggest Cabrera should have a job. Plus, he’s a switch-hitter and still just 33. But Cabrera didn’t fare nearly as well when he went from the cozy confines of the White Sox ballpark to the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium, where his OPS dipped from .771 to .702. In today’s analytically driven game, that’s a red flag. And it’s possible his PED bust from 2012 may be hurting Cabrera’s case too.
Holliday: The burly DH/outfielder has enjoyed a splendid career and could proudly retire at 38. Holliday doesn’t appear ready to hang them up yet, though, and he can point to his 39 home runs in 755 at-bats over the last two years as proof he still has something to offer. Holliday’s OPS has declined four years in a row, though, to a career-low .748 last season. That’s a tough sell for a DH.
Bautista: Once a power-hitting terror who could contribute in other areas, Bautista is strictly a home run hitter now. Last year his batting average (.203) and OPS (.674) dropped markedly even though he was healthy, playing in 157 games. Bautista, 37, has indicated a preference for playing close to home in Florida, but so far neither of the state’s teams has shown interest.
Mark Reynolds: Coming off the second-best season of his career – .267/.352/.487 with 30 homers and 97 RBI – Reynolds had every reason to expect healthy interest in his services. Instead, crickets. Reynolds, 34, actually struck out less frequently than in the past (29.5% rate), but his 275-point disparity in OPS at Coors Field and elsewhere may be spooking potential employers.
J.J. Hardy: Manny Machado’s return to shortstop bumped Hardy out of that spot with the Orioles, and his age (35) and history of injuries likely concerns any suitors. Hardy’s offense has been subpar for years now, but he’s widely respected and still appears capable of handle defensive duties, so a backup role may materialize.
Yunel Escobar: After batting better than .300 with an on-base percentage above .350 in 2015 and ’16, Escobar fell to .274 and .333 last season. A former shortstop, the 35-year-old Escobar has played only third base the last three seasons, but he hasn’t reached double digits in home runs since 2011. That may explain why his phone has stopped ringing.
Seth Smith: Primarily a platoon player, the lefty-swinging Smith has delivered a better-than-league-average OPS-plus each of the last seven years while averaging 14 home runs over the last nine. At 35, he could serve as a fourth outfielder and part-time DH against right-handers.
Andre Ethier: The longtime Los Angeles Dodger denied an offseason report that he had opted to retire, expressing his desire to keep playing. The problem is Ethier barely played in the last two years, making a total of just 64 plate appearances because of leg and back injuries. He’s about to turn 36, so that retirement decision might be made for him.
Brandon Phillips: The four-time Gold Glove second baseman was traded to the Angels on Aug. 31 as part of a late-season push for the playoffs, except he didn’t do much pushing, delivering just a .652 OPS in 24 games. Despite a knack for driving in runs, Phillips hasn’t been better than an average offensive player since 2011, and he’s 36 now. Dat Dude may be done.
