These 3 Players Could Retire if They Aren't Signed Soon
3 Veterans Still Without a Job As We Inch Closer to Opening Day
As Spring Training goes on, we inch closer and closer to Opening Day, the official start of of the 2025 MLB season. By now, all of the big free agents have already found a new home, Juan Soto to the Mets, Alex Bregman to the Red Sox, Roki Sasaki to the Dodgers, all of the big free agents signed a deal. However, year after year, a few veterans stuggle to find a home, some end up signing a deal late in Spring Training while some are unfortunately forced to either retire or join a club in a foreign nation.
In addition to hanging up the cleats or playing abroad, some veterans end up signing a minor league deal with a team, such as Jason Heyward to the San Diego Padres or Rowdy Tellez to the Seattle Mariners. However, there are still some veterans left on the market, but if they don’t sign soon, they could hang the cleats up.
Anthony Rizzo | 1B
Anthony Rizzo was one of the top hitters in the league a few years ago, but a lot has changed since then. Today, Rizzo is unfortunately not the same player we used to know. Entering his age 35 season, Rizzo has struggled with injuries in recent years, making him not as consistent and decreasing his value significantly.
In 2024, Rizzo spent the final year of his two-year, $34 million deal that he signed with the Yankees in 2022. In 92 games as New York’s primary starting first baseman, Rizzo hit .228/.301/.335 with a total of 77 hits— 12 of which were doubles with 8 homeruns, totaling up for 35 RBIs.
This upcoming season would be Rizzo’s 15th season in the big leagues. Some teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs, and the Miami Marlins had previously expressed interest in Rizzo, and they could still give him a last-minute offer.
Joining Chicago would bring “Tony” back to the Northside, where he spent 10 years of his career, winning the 2016 World Series and was a fan favorite. However, Chciago already has former top prospect Michael Busch & veteran Justin Turner as their first basemen on their roster. As a result, Rizzo would likely have to accept a bench role to rejoin his former club.
If Rizzo was to join a team like the Pirates or the Marlins, he would likely get a lot of playing time, while also being able to mentor a younger first basemen such as Spencer Horwitz of Pittsburgh or Jonah Bride of Miami.
Whit Merrifield | UTL
Whit Merrifield used to be an elite player, leading the league in stolen bases, being selected to All-Star teams, and winning multiple awards. However, as Merrifield has aged, his speed, which was his greatest attribute has gone down. Last year during Spring Training, Merrifield signed a 1-year deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. Unfortunately, due to Merrifield not meeting offensive expectations and younger players available, Whit was released mid-way through the season. After around a week of being a free agent, Merrifield signed a deal with the Atlanta Braves. Merrifield would finish the season with the Braves and helped lead them to the playoffs.
Last year in Philly & Atlanta, Whit hit .222/.311/.314 with 65 hits— 4 of which were homeruns and a total of 15 RBIs.
With Merrifield being injury-prone and not as productive, he really only has a chance at a 1-year deal. Luckily, Merrifield has a better shot than most veterans at landing a job due to his incredible versatility.
This offseason, Merrifield hasn’t received much attention from any clubs, but the New York Yankees have been looked at as an ideal fit. New York lost 2B Gleyber Torres in free agency and INF DJ Lemahieu will be out for a significant amount of time with a calf strain. This opens up both the second base and third base positions. Luckily, the Yankees have Jazz Chisholm Jr., who can play both positions. Here is where Merrifield would fit into the lineup. With either second or third open, depending on where Chisholm is playing, the Yankees could add a super-utility man such as Merrifeld.
A few other clubs would make sense for Merrifield, including the Washington Nationals who currently have 6 second basemen listed on their 40-man roster. However, all 6 of these players are under the age of 30 and average at 25 years old. Adding Merrifield, who could also play left field, designated hitter, and third base would add a lot of depth to this young team and bring a veteran presence to the club. Not only could Merrifield help in the clubhouse, he could use his knowledge on stealing bases to teach the Nats’ young core how to steal more bases and use their speed, especially players like Dylan Crews and James Wood.
J.D. Martinez | DH
J.D. Martinez is the oldest veteran on this list at 37 years old. Once an elite hitter, Martinez has played 14 seasons in the big leagues, spending time with 6 clubs— the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, & most recently, the New York Mets in 2024.
As a part of a club that made it to the National League Championship Series in the New York Mets, Martinez hit .235/.320/.406 with 16 homeruns, 69 RBIs, & a total of 102 hits in 2024.
Buzz related to Martinez has been very quiet this offseason, much like last offseason when he ended up signing a 1-year deal with the Mets very late into Spring Training— on March 24th. The only team that has been linked to Martinez is the New York Yankees, who could use Martinez to fill in for the injured Giancarlo Stanton.
Another team that could end up signing Martinez is the Miami Marlins. Martinez’s hometown team finished last in the National League East in 2024 and is in the process of a rebuild. As a result, their roster consists of mostly young players, which would bring a bigger reason to add a veteran like Martinez. In addition, the Marlins only have Jonah Bride & Jesus Sanchez listed as DHs on their depth chart, leaving a space open when they are both playing in the field.
Hopefully these 3 veterans can find a home before the MLB season kicks off on March 27th, or else they could announce their retirement from baseball, such as many players do every year.
Doesn't really make sense to me, at least. Let me share my thoughts.
JD Martinez may be old, but he's not retiring anytime soon. Eventually, someone's going to pick him up. The Yankees are probably going to pick him up after the Stanton news. At least, they should. He'll be waiting in free agency another season, though, if no one picks him up.
Rizzo is 35, but once again, the Yankees are kind of in desperation without it, and according to a lot of reports, a reunion is coming. A Cubs return is also likely. He's not retiring until next year if he doesn't get picked up.
Whit Merrifield seems about right. He's already on the podcast route, so he'll be gone soon.
Great read!