Former SF Giants third baseman 16-year veteran unlikely to continue playing career

Former SF Giants third baseman Evan Longoria remains a free agent and that will likely not change anytime soon. The 16-year veteran tells Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times that he has not officially retired, but is unlikely to continue his playing career.

Former SF Giants third baseman 16-year veteran unlikely to continue playing career

Longoria did leave the door slightly ajar for a return. He mentioned to Topkin that he would consider a return if a playoff-caliber team came calling.

Though, that seems unlikely at this stage in the season. Longoria spent his first 10 seasons in a Tampa Bay Rays uniform before joining San Francisco for the next five years and playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season.

The right-handed bat slashed .223/.295/.422 (92 wRC+) with 11 home runs, 28 RBI, and 25 runs in 237 plate appearances in his lone season with the Diamondbacks. He got off to a quality start with Arizona, but a back injury derailed his second half last season.

Nevertheless, the Diamondbacks did reach the World Series last year, but the Texas Rangers clinched the series in five games. Interestingly, Longoria experienced a similar outcome in his rookie year with the Rays in 2008. They reached the World Series but lost in five games to the Philadelphia Phillies.

If Longoria does not suit up again for a major league team, World Series appearances will serve as the bookends of his career. Oddly, both the Rays and Diamondbacks were expansion teams in 1998.

Longoria is arguably the best player in Tampa Bay's brief history. He was originally the third overall pick by the club in the 2006 draft. That type of draft pedigree comes with lofty expectations, but Longoria lived up to them and more.

He made three straight All-Star appearances starting in 2008. He also earned three AL Gold Glove Awards. Overall, the veteran bat posted an .804 OPS with 1,930 hits, 342 home runs, and 1,159 RBI across 16 seasons. For years, he brought a combination of solid defense and above-average power to the table.

A career like that deserves some consideration for the Hall of Fame even if he may fall well short of induction in a few years. While the 38-year-old contemplates his next move, there is no doubt that he has had an incredible career.