MLB Free Agency: The Three Best Fits for Matt Holliday
By Jason Reed
Veteran outfielder Matt Holliday showed us all in 2016 that he can still produce at the MLB level. Where should he go in free agency?
Matt Holliday is one of the most seasoned veterans in MLB. Making his debut in 2004, Holliday ranks 15th in games played for active players, and he should move up that list next year after the retirements of Alex Rodriguez, David Ortiz and possibly others are official. Despite it being the later stages of his career, Holliday can still produce for a team at the big league level.
In 110 games last season, Holliday slashed .246/.322/.461 with 20 home runs and 62 runs batted in. In fact, Holliday was voted an All-Star as recently as 2015. He batted .279 that season, around average with what we’ve seen from him of late. Although his numbers are fading, Holliday can still help a team looking for a push to the postseason.
Whether he platoons, becomes a designated hitter, or is an everyday outfielder, Holliday can still be a factor down the stretch in 2017. Fangraphs actually predicts Holliday’s numbers to rise in next season. With an anticipated average of .275 with identical power numbers, Holliday could be a key player in 2017.
Although they are promising for teams in the market for an outfielder, we cannot base his worth solely on predictions. However, while he might not be as valuable as the site predicts, he still presents value to most MLB clubs. Any team searching for contributions from a veteran leader will almost certainly have Holliday on their radar. This will most likely be his last chance to cash out on a nice contract, so with the offseason in full swing, let’s take a look at potential fits for Matt Holliday.