How Todd Frazier Opting Out Effects the Roster
If you haven't heard by now, the Pittsburgh Pirates will not get to use the services of Todd Frazier in 2021. After signing the 12-year MLB veteran to a Minor League contract on February 20th, Frazier had come in and helped guide many of the Pirate's young players. One guy he had a big impact on was third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes. Frazier was quoted as saying that Hayes is going to be "a beast" at the Major League level. He was even quoted as telling Jameson Taillon in a Spring Training game "Don't worry I'll take care of your guys." However, in a surprising move, Frazier was told on Friday after the game that he would not be making the Major League club. Because of this, Frazier opted out of his contract becoming a Free Agent.
Now, all reports say there was no bad blood on either side, so we can believe the two sides parted amicably. However, the departure of Frazier does open up the door for other players to make the Opening Day roster. In my article yesterday about hard cuts the Pirates might have to make before Spring Training, I mentioned that Phillip Evans might be one of the guys sent down at the start of the season. However, with Frazier now gone this seems very unlikely and makes it more likely that Evans makes the Opening Day roster. While Frazier led the team in home runs this spring, it seems that his reported back problems played into the Pirates not bringing him north with the club on April 1st. Today, we look at how the loss of Frazier affects the roster and who will benefit most from his departure.
Loss of Leadership
The biggest loss the Pirates get from losing Todd Frazier is the experience that he would have brought to the clubhouse. Even in his short time in Pittsburgh, he had already made an impact on a very young Pirates team. With 12 years of Big League experience, Frazier has been around the block throughout his career. With a young team like the Pirates, this experience could have been big as he could pass those lessons on to the young guys. The Pirates have had their fair share of experience guys over the years, including Brandon Inge, Jose Contreras, and Lyle Overbay. However, the one main factor with all of these guys is they didn't do much in a Pirates uniform.
Frazier most likely would have fallen into this category of player had he made the 2021 Opening Day roster. Even though he led the team with three home runs so far this Spring, he had been dealing with back problems that have plagued him throughout his career. He was able to battle back, raising his average from .208 to .250 in his two games since returning, but there is still that fear that those injuries would plague him throughout the season. If Frazier would have had to miss any significant time because of the back during the season, it would have eliminated the true reason why the Pirates signed Frazier. If he isn't playing due to injury, he isn't gaining value for a contending team.
When the Pirates signed Frazier back in February, there was no hope that he would actually stay on the team for a full season. If Frazier would have had any amount of success, he would have immediately been flipped to a contending team for prospects. However, with Frazier now gone, the Pirates have lost what looked to be a formidable trade piece for the deadline. If Ben Cherington was able to get a taker for the dismal Jarrod Dyson, he could have easily gotten a prospect or two for Frazier. Normally, I don't like to see the Pirates let players walk out the door without getting anything for them, but in Frazier's case, he just didn't see himself getting a lot of playing time here. Plus, his departure opens the door for a couple of other guys who have had strong springs to this point.
Opening Opportunities for Young Guys
The big thing Todd Frazier's departure does for the Pirates is opens up a position battle for two guys who have each had very strong Springs. With the Pirates now in need of a utility guy/ infielder the battle for the final bench spot has seemed to come down to two. With the back-up catcher, Alford/ Fowler (whoever doesn't start), and Erik Gonzalez essentially locks, that leaves one more spot on the bench open. The two guys emerging for that final spot are Phillip Evans and Wilmer Difo. Both players are hitting the ball extremely well this season, and both players have something in common, they can play multiple positions and do so at a high level.
Phillip Evans is the front-runner because he is on the 40-man roster, and the Pirates saw what he can do during the regular season. In his 11 games, before he suffered the broken jaw last year, he was able to hit .359 with one home run and nine RBI and three of his 14 hits went for extra-bases. At the start of 2020, Evans was just an unknown pick-up player from the New York Mets. It seemed from the moment he stepped on the field for the Pirates he was ready to go. In his first official start, he went 3-4 with a double and an RBI. From there, his bat just kept getting hotter as he got a hit in seven of his next nine games, and would reach base in eight of those nine games. However, his jaw would meet Gregory Polanco's elbow on August 8th, ending his season after just 11 games.
The other option the Pirates could go with for the final bench spot is another non-roster guy by the name of Wilmer Difo. The Pirates signed Difo as a Minor League free agent this off-season and he is a guy who is mostly known for his glove work. However, this spring he has been able to find his bat hitting .278 with three RBI and a stolen base. Much like Evans, Difo can play all over the field and has played every position besides first base, catcher, and pitcher throughout his career. He has spent most of his career in the infield but has the speed to be an effective outfielder as well. No matter who the Pirates go with for the final bench spot, they are looking for someone who can provide pop off the bench, and be a consistent fielder who can play all around the field.
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