San Francisco Giants: What to do with Evan Longoria

The San Francisco Giants have a difficult offseason ahead, and one of the biggest headaches will be figuring out what to do with Evan Longoria.

I was not a huge fan when the San Francisco Giants traded for Longoria. Not because I don’t think he’s a great player, but that contract is brutal.

And now, after a somewhat disappointing season in which he is hitting .245 with 16 home runs, it feels like the Giants are stuck with the aging veteran.

Longoria played all of 2018 at age 32, and this was the first time he hasn’t played in at least 156 games since 2012. And unless he has a huge final weekend, it will be the first time he hasn’t hit at least 20 home runs in a season since 2012 as well.

Get ready to vomit in your mouth a little when I show the rest of his contract. Next year he’ll make $14.6 million ($2 million paid by Tampa Bay). In 2020 he’ll get $15.16 million ($2 million paid by Tampa Bay). Then in 2021 he’ll make $18.6 million ($2 million paid by Tampa Bay). And finally, in 2022 he’ll make $19.6 million ($5 million paid by Tampa Bay).

There is a $13 million team option for 2023, but I would be shocked if the Giants — or whoever he’s with at that point — picks up that option.

This is one of those contracts that was given to a player for what they’ve done, and not what they will do. It was also done at a time when we thought players could still be great well into their 30’s (the steroid era).

The Tampa Bay Rays somehow moved an unmovable contract, and now it will be the Giants turn to try and pull off the same trick.

It may not happen this offseason. I would be surprised if the Giants try to move him right now as he’s coming off his worst offensive season. But there is no way Longoria can be part of this team through his age 36 season.

I’m hopeful that Longoria can bounce-back in 2019 not only for the sake of the Giants, but also to make his contract a little more moveable going into next offseason.

Right now it just feels like Longoria and his contract will be a continual anchor pulling this team down for years to come.