Corner infielder Todd Frazier chose to exit its secondary league contract with Pirates in favor of the free agency, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
This is unlikely to be the end for Frazier, 35, who plans to continue his career, writes Heyman. Frazier was very successful in the major, having won two All-Star waves and hitting 0.242 / 0.319 / 0.448 with 218 home runs (including five seasons with between 21 and 40 HRs) and 24.2 fWAR in 4,909 plate appearances since he debuted. with the Reds in 2011. His production has declined in the past two years, however, and he hit below the .236 / .302 / .382 average with four long balls and a low career ISO of .146 over 172 PA between the Rangers and Mets in 2020.
Despite his declining numbers, Frazier seemed to have a chance to at least be a backup for the rebuilding of Pittsburgh, which has a rising star at third base in Ke’Bryan Hayes and the first left-handed baseman Colin Moran. Frazier, a right-hand, could have made a squad with Moran, and he defended a squad spot this spring with a .250 / .353 / .643 line and three dingers in 28 attacks. Instead, Frazier – who played for the top five teams – will try to get another club. Frazier’s exit suggests internal player Phillip Evans will be on the Pirates’ Opening Day list, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tweets.