Wednesday night, former Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was in attendance for the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Is it possible that the third baseman could return to the Rays this winter as a free agent?
Wednesday night, former Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Evan Longoria was in attendance for the Tampa Bay Lightning's 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Prior to the game's start, Longoria fired off the Tesla coils with Lightning in-arena host Greg Wolf.
During warmups, Lightning star Steven Stamkos tossed Longoria a puck.
With Longoria returning to Tampa, could it be possible that he is exploring the possibility of a return to the Rays?
Longoria spent the first ten years of his career with the Rays, where he was a three-time American League All-Star and the 2008 AL Rookie of the Year Award recipient.
The Rays traded Longoria to the San Francisco Giants following the 2017 Major League season, for Christian Arroyo, Matt Krook, Denard Span and Stephen Woods.
Longoria, now 37, is now a free agent, free to sign with any team he chooses.
The Rays recently pursued free agent Michael Brantley, leading some to believe that their offseason is not over yet, and the club might want to add another veteran bat to their lineup. Brantley is a left-handed hitter however, and Longoria is a righty.
Longoria would give the Rays another option at third base and designated hitter, and could provide veteran leadership to a rather young team. Bringing him back would also be a very fan-friendly move. Fans would certainly welcome him back with open arms, just as Zack Greinke received love from Kansas City Royals fans, after he returned to the organization that drafted him, last winter.
There are no other hints or clues that Longoria has been in contact with the Rays, but a return at this time certainly does not seem impossible.
Check out the latest episode of the Jack Vita Show for more MLB offseason analysis!
Subscribe to the Jack Vita Show on: Apple Podcasts|Spotify|Google Podcasts|Amazon|iHeartRadio| Stitcher| Pandora | TuneIn|Listen Notes|Podtail|Podchaser|Hubhopper|Audio junkie|Himalaya|Podcast Addict| Available wherever podcasts are found.
More MLB Offseason Coverage:
- OPINION: Texas Rangers May Have Made Off-Season's Best Free Agent Signing
- Ranking Correa, Turner, Bogaerts, Swanson Contracts from Best to Worst
- How Dansby Swanson's Grandfather Played Role in Shortstop's Move to Chicago
- New York Mets' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Carlos Correa
- OPINION: Carlos Correa's Contract Will Not Age Well
- OPINION: Jed Hoyer, Cubs Made Right Decision Passing on Carlos Correa
- REPORT: New York Mets Want to Sign Shohei Ohtani Next Winter
- New York Yankees' 2023 Projected Lineup After Re-Signing Aaron Judge
- San Diego Padres' 2023 Projected Starting Lineup After Signing Xander Bogaerts
- PODCAST: Exclusive Interview with a Toms River East Little League Star
For more from Jack Vita, follow him on Twitter @JackVitaShow, and subscribe to his podcast, the Jack Vita Show, available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Facebook, Amazon, iHeartRadio, and wherever podcasts are found.