Todd Frazier opts out of contract with Pirates, elects free agency

Mar. 27—Join the conversation

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Once expected to platoon at first base for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Todd Frazier instead exercised the opt-out clause of his minor league contract and elected free agency less than a week before the start of the season.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network first reported the news.

The 35-year-old Frazier, a 10-year veteran with five teams, is a two-time All-Star who has 218 career home runs and hit a career-best 40 homers in 2016. He was trying to make the team as a corner infielder who could serve as a right-handed bat to complement lefty Colin Moran at first base and a backup to rookie Ke'Bryan Hayes at third base.

If Frazier made the team, he would have earned $1.5 million this season.

Frazier batted .250 (7 for 28) and a .996 OPS with two doubles and a team-best three home runs with six RBIs in 12 Grapefruit League games. He missed a few games over the past week due to stiffness in his lower back but returned to play Thursday night, going 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored in the 10-9 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Frazier pinch hit for the Pirates on Friday against Detroit but struck out looking.

Before Thursday's game, Pirates manager Derek Shelton said it was important to see Frazier "just being healthy and move around." Shelton added that he was aware of the March 25 opt-out deadline but said such conversations would happen behind closed doors and there were "ongoing conversations about a lot of people, not just him."

Frazier's injury combined with the play of Phillip Evans, who batted .393 with seven RBIs in 12 games this spring, put Frazier's roster spot in jeopardy. The Pirates could opt to keep 14 pitchers and 12 position players on their 26-man Opening Day roster. That would protect pitcher Luis Oviedo, a Rule 5 Draft pick acquired from the New York Mets via trade who must spend the season on the major league roster or be returned.

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kevin by email at kgorman@triblive.com or via Twitter .