A decade ago, Grady Sizemore was one of the top five players in baseball. Now, as we look towards the 2017 baseball season, Sizemore just wants another chance to be in the game.
According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Sizemore is reportedly interested in getting back into the game, whether that means making a comeback as a player or beginning a coaching career:
Sizemore was out of baseball last season, but he and his agent, Joe Urban, were at the GM meetings trying to drum up a playing assignment or a coaching job.
The 34-year-old split 2015, which was his last season in the league, between the Phillies and the Tampa Bay Rays. After slashing .253/.313/.389 in 60 games with the Phillies in 2014, the team re-signed Sizemore for 2015. Sizemore ultimately only batted .245 in 98 at-bats for the Phillies in 2015, before the team designated him for assignment. The Phillies ultimately released Sizemore, who went on to finish out the season (and possibly his career) with the aforementioned Rays.
It seems pretty unlikely that Sizemore will draw much interest as a player prior to 2017, but Cafardo also noted that Sizemore could be interested in coaching, so perhaps a minor league role will open up for him.
Prior to a series of injuries changing the course of his career, Sizemore seemed on pace to be one of the best players of his era. A true five tool player at his peak, Sizemore posted a combined WAR of 27.3 (per Fangraphs) between 2005 and 2008, while playing with the Cleveland Indians. During that period, Sizemore also made three All-Star teams and won two Gold Glove Awards.
