At his peak with the New York Yankees, Didi Gregorius posted back-to-back 4.5+ WAR seasons in 2017 and 2018, showcasing his reliable defense at shortstop and solid power at the plate. It seemed like Gregorius was on track for a long MLB career. However, just four years after a standout 4.9 WAR season in the Bronx, the 35-year-old infielder found himself out of the majors and playing in Mexico during the 2023 season.
Despite this setback, Gregorius is not ready to give up on his dream of returning to MLB. In an appearance on Hot Stove, he cleared up rumors about his career.
“No, I’m not retired yet, no… I’m still looking to play. Just see if I can get anything [in MLB]. If not, I’ll probably head down to Mexico again for a couple more years. And then if I don’t get anything then we’ll see what’s going to happen after that. But for now I’m still looking for a team,” Gregorius said via MLB Network on X.
After signing with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in the Mexican League in 2023, Gregorius has spent the past two years south of the border. His MLB career hit a major roadblock when he had to undergo Tommy John surgery while still in his prime, causing him to miss much of the 2019 season with the Yankees. He signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2020 after the Yankees declined to extend him a qualifying offer, but his season was shortened due to the pandemic. His 2021 season saw his batting average dip to .209, with Gregorius attributing his struggles to the Covid vaccine. His fortunes didn’t improve in 2022, as he endured the worst season of his career, leading to his release by the Phillies after the trade deadline. Since then, he has not appeared in the majors.
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Still, Gregorius remains hopeful for a comeback. He spent part of this spring training with the Yankees, combining his passion for baseball with another hobby: photography.
“For me [photography’s] something really important because it takes your mind off baseball for a little bit and you get to relax. So for me it’s a fun part of the game,” Gregorius shared with MLB Network. “The first day [of spring training] I was just worried about photography and then the second day, that’s when I took grounders with the guys and see them move their feet and I talked to some of the young guys about moving their feet and gripping the ball.”
“That’s a good spot to be in. But not right now, because I’m still playing! But after, maybe in the long run I can do that,” Gregorius added with a smile.
Coaching in the Yankees organization could be a natural next step for the baseball veteran. Whatever lies ahead, it’s great to see Gregorius back on the field and still passionate about the game.
