Aside from the seven players who became free agents the morning after the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers held contract options on Andre Ethier and Logan Forsythe. Their decisions on both players went as expected.
Rather than owe Ethier $17.5 million in 2018, the Dodgers bought out the final year of his deal. It thrust the veteran into free agency and signaled the possible end of his career with the organization.
Despite missing much of the past two seasons because of injuries, Ethier was said to be leaning toward extending his career into next season. That sentiment appeared to change Sunday morning with a report the 35-year-old had informed family and friends he was set to retire.
But according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the free-agent outfielder called the report unfounded:
Andre Ethier said reports that he's retiring are "totally untrue." Teams have already shown interest, he said his back is healthy and he's preparing to play in 2018.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) November 26, 2017
Further more, Ethier’s agent confirmed his client intends to play next season, per Jerry Crasnick of ESPN:
Agent Nez Balelo says a report that Andre Ethier is retiring is “completely false. Andre plans to play in 2018.”
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) November 26, 2017
Ethier went 8-for-34 with one double, two home runs and three RBI in 22 games after he was activated off the disabled list, primarily appearing off the bench. Ethier went 4-for-13 with one home run, two RBI and two walks in eight postseason games (two starts).
A tibia fracture (2016) and herniated disc in his lower back (2017) have limited Ethier to a combined 38 regular season games the past two years. Should he indeed look to play next season, it’s unclear if the Dodgers would have interest in re-signing Ethier under the notion he fill a reduced role.
He finished last season as the longest-tenured player in the Dodgers organization.
