MLB Free Agency: The Three Best Fits for Matt Holliday

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.

Baltimore Orioles

With the potential departure of slugger Mark Trumbo, the Orioles are short a right fielder. Baltimore may find problems being successful if they cannot repeat the power surge we witnessed in 2016. Matt Holliday would be a step in the right direction for Baltimore to replace their losses. Obviously, Holliday would not produce the same numbers as Trumbo, but he could be a one- or two-year replacement if Baltimore cannot sign a big name outfielder such as Dexter Fowler.

Holliday would fit in nicely in Baltimore. Camden Yards is far more hitter-friendly than Busch Stadium, and Holliday may even see himself become the DH. With the potential loss of Pedro Alvarez, the Orioles could have a hole to fill there. If they can lock Holliday down to a deal and also find a better defensive outfielder, then Baltimore would be set. We’ve seen veteran players in the past add years to their careers by transitioning solely to a DH role. Without the hassles of fielding nine innings every day, Holliday may see his numbers rise.

With the only other option – as of now- to play right field being 25-year-old Joey Rickard, Baltimore needs to make a move. While Rickard has shown good potential and put up relatively decent numbers, his sample size is small. Baltimore can’t expect Rickard to be their everyday starter in right field, just not yet. With the addition of Holliday, the team can further utilize Rickard in positions of need, and the youngster can benefit from Holliday’s veteran presence.

Houston Astros

Despite already bolstering their club with veteran players this offseason, expect the Astros to make another move. Houston already has brought in the likes of Josh Reddick and Brian McCann to combine with their previous young talent. Per FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are attempting to bolster their offense so they can trade a young talent for elite pitching. Bringing in Holliday here may just be the best of both worlds.

Sure, these young guys certainly will be better for longer than Holliday, but signing Holliday can knock out two birds with one stone. Holliday would slot into the outfield, allowing Houston space to ship off George Springer in a deal. They may need to include a defensive-minded outfielder in a deal of this caliber, but it is definitely doable. Although Holliday won’t contribute in the way that Springer can, he can help the team overall by allowing Houston to make a move for needed pitching.

Houston would then have a pretty stacked offense. Holliday would join Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, Josh Reddick, Brian McCann and Evan Gattis as the heart of the Astros lineup. Add the pitching that they need in a Springer deal and the Astros may well see themselves back in the postseason. Although a straight-up signing of Holliday may be unnecessary, if the proper moves are made after the fact, it may indeed be a genius move.