In a surprising move Friday, veteran infielder Todd Frazier opted out of his contract with the Pirates, making himself a free agent.
Frazier, 35, signed a minor-league contract with the Pirates in February that had a March 25 opt-out date if he was either not on the 40-man roster or told he would not make the team. The date passed, and while it looked like the Pirates could have opened up a spot for him since Steven Brault is likely headed to the 60-day injured list with a left lat strain that will keep him out 10-12 weeks, they told Frazier he would not have his contract selected.
Without a spot on the major-league team, Frazier opted to try his luck in free agency again.
Frazier had been performing well this spring, homering three times and recording a .996 OPS over 12 games played. He struck out in his only plate appearance Friday. He had been experiencing some back soreness recently, but returned to the lineup Thursday.
Had he made the team, the expectation was for Frazier to back up Ke'Bryan Hayes at third base and Colin Moran at first, possibly platooning with the latter. There was also plenty of appeal of having a veteran in the clubhouse for a young Pirates team.
The Pirates are likely going to carry 14 pitchers, giving them just a four-man bench to work with. With one spot seemingly guaranteed to Erik Gonzalez, plus the need for a backup catcher and outfielder, that left just one remaining spot. Phillip Evans would seem to be the favorite to make the team now, with Wilmer Difo potentially being another option. Evans has had a good spring, batting .393 with a .914 OPS over 35 plate appearances.
