Veteran third baseman/first baseman Todd Frazier will be announcing his retirement from the MLB on Tuesday. The 36-year-old revealed his intentions to retire to Greg Joyce of the New York Post, telling Jones, "It's one of the toughest decisions I've ever made." Frazier will be best remembered for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets. He made a pair of All-Star game appearances as a member of the Reds in 2014 and 2015, crushing 64 homers over that two-year span. Frazier compiled a total of 218 home runs across his 11 years in the majors.
The Pittsburgh Pirates designated corner infielder Todd Frazier for assignment on Monday. The move was made as a corresponding transaction for outfielder Ben Gamel, who was claimed off waivers from the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Gamel will be activated for Monday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. Frazier didn't make the Opening Day roster, but the 35-year-old was brought up on April 22. The 11-year MLB veteran had two hits on Sunday to raise his average to .086 (3-for-35) on the season. With Colin Moran on the 10-day injured list and with a surplus of outfielders in Pittsburgh, Phillip Evans could move to first base with Frazier now gone. The Pirates could have other options in outfielder Wilmer Difo or infielder Erik Gonzalez, who last played first base in 2018.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Todd Frazier exercised the opt-out clause in his contract and will become a free agent, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported Friday. Heyman adds that the Pirates had informed Frazier he was not going to make the team out of Spring Training, which led to Frazier opting out. Frazier had looked good in 12 games this spring, slashing .250/.353/.643 with three home runs and six RBI, and had appeared to be in line to platoon at first base with Colin Moran. Clearly though that wasn't going to be the case, and he will now try to latch on with another team. He can provide some power with his bat, so he could be worth a speculative add off the waiver-wire in deep-mixed leagues or in AL/NL-only formats depending on where he ends up.
Todd Frazier Out Of The Lineup With Back Tightness
Pittsburgh Pirates first/third baseman Todd Frazier (back) won't suit up on Sunday against the Red Sox. Frazier is experiencing some back tightness, though it's unclear if it will affect his potential availability for Opening Day, should he make the roster. The veteran infielder is having a strong spring, as he has a .935 OPS with three home runs in 10 games. Frazier's best days are behind him, but he still has some pop left in his bat, which could make him a deep league option in 2021.
Todd Frazier Launches Third Homer Of Spring In Loss
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Todd Frazier slugged his third home run of the spring on Friday, as he finished 1-for-3 with three RBI in the loss to the Orioles. He hasn't been hitting for a high average so far, but he's shown pop as four of his five hits have gone for extra bases. It looks like he'll end up platooning with Colin Moran at first base, which will limit his value somewhat. However, when he's in the lineup he can be a decent corner infield option in deeper NL-only formats for his power potential.
Todd Frazier Hits Second Homer Of Spring On Tuesday
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Todd Frazier hit his second home run of the spring and accounted for the only run in the Pirates' 6-1 loss to Detroit on Tuesday. It was his only hit of the game as he finished 1-for-1 with a walk in the five-inning matchup. It's been all power for Frazier this spring as he is now 2-for-4 with two homers, two RBI, a walk and a strikeout. He's fighting for playing time with Colin Moran at first base, and while Frazier is off to a hot start there's still a lot of games left to be played this spring. Managers in deeper formats and NL-only formats should keep an eye on Frazier over the rest of Spring Training, as he could be a good late-round value pick.
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed free-agent third baseman/first baseman Todd Frazier to a minor league deal on Friday, according to a source. Frazier will make $1.5 million if he makes the club out of spring training. The 35-year-old veteran can still hit the ball over the fence occasionally, but he strikes out too much and won't be guaranteed regular playing time on one of the worst teams in baseball if he makes the team. Frazier hit just .236/.302/.382 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 45 games with the Texas Rangers and New York Mets in the shortened 2020 season. In 133 games with the Mets in 2019, he slashed .251/.329/.443 with 21 homers and 67 RBI. His best path to playing time will probably be at first base after the Bucs traded Josh Bell to the Nationals this offseason. But even then, Frazier would likely be a part-time player with some low-end corner infield value in deep NL-only affairs.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are talking to free-agent third baseman Todd Frazier about a minor league deal, but nothing is finalized yet. Frazier hit .236/.302/.382 with four home runs and 12 RBI in 45 games with the Rangers and Mets during the shortened 2020 season. In his last full season in 2019 with the Mets, the 35-year-old veteran slashed .251/.329/.443 with 21 home runs and 67 RBI in 133 games (447 at-bats). There's some pop in his lumber, but he wouldn't be guaranteed to win a major league roster spot and would be fighting an uphill battle for playing time at the hot corner with Colin Moran and prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes, but first base could also be a possibility for the rebuilding Pirates. Either way, Frazier would be a low-cost flier in NL-only leagues for his power if he signs with Pittsburgh and makes the team.
Mets Land Todd Frazier, Robinson Chirinos From Rangers
The New York Mets made a pair of separate trades with the Texas Rangers to acquire the services of catcher Robinson Chirinos and first/third baseman Todd Frazier on Monday. Chirinos has scuffled mightily at the plate this season, having slashed .119/.224/.143 in his first 14 games; Frazier returns to the Mets after having played two seasons with the organization from 2018-19, having amassed 10 extra-base hits this year. New York only had to deal a pair of players to be named later in order to acquire the duo, neither of whom figures to see full-time playing duties during September.
Texas Rangers corner infielder Todd Frazier is sitting versus Rockies right-hander German Marquez on Saturday with some soreness in his quad. Derek Dietrich is taking over at first base and batting seventh in an always appealing matchup from Coors Field. Frazier contends that his injury isn't serious, stating that "it's definitely not hindering me from doing my job." It sounds like the veteran will likely be back in the lineup on Sunday as he looks to build on a terrific .300/.375/.483 slash line to start the year.
