Elvis Andrus has been a free agent since the Diamondbacks released him after Spring Training. Although he hasn’t formally announced his retirement, it appears he’s ready to embark on a new chapter in his life.
In an interview with Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, Andrus, who is 36, discussed his decision to effectively close the door on his playing career. He mentioned that he kept himself in shape after the release by Arizona, hoping for another MLB opportunity. However, he gradually reduced his training.
“Being in the big leagues was always a privilege, but the game and its players have evolved,” Andrus remarked. “Most of my former teammates have retired, and now everyone in the league is in their early 20s. I’ve watched many close friends retire over the past five years, and I’ve often wondered when it would be my turn.”
He added, “I anticipated that this transition would be challenging, but it’s been surprisingly fulfilling. I’ve found peace in stepping away and am comfortable with the idea of moving on.” Andrus also mentioned that his three children have expressed their desire for him to stay home instead of seeking more playing opportunities.
If this does mark the end of Andrus’ career, it wraps up a notable journey. Originally signed by the Braves as a Venezuelan amateur, he quickly became a top prospect. He was part of the 2007 trade that sent Mark Teixeira to Atlanta, joining Jarrod Saltalamacchia in Texas’ return.
Andrus made his major league debut before turning 21 and became the Rangers’ starting shortstop in 2009, batting .267 in 145 games. He was a runner-up for Rookie of the Year and earned his first All-Star selection the following season. He was a key player in Texas’ back-to-back pennant wins in 2010 and 2011, stealing over 30 bases in each of his first three MLB seasons and earning a second All-Star nod in 2012 with a .286/.349/.378 line.
In early 2013, the Rangers committed to Andrus as their franchise shortstop, signing him to an eight-year, $120 million deal with opt-out clauses. He continued to be a reliable infielder, known for high averages and consistent play, although he wasn’t a major power hitter. His standout year came in 2017 with 20 home runs, a .297/.337/.471 slash line, and 88 RBIs.
Throughout his first nine seasons, Andrus played at least 145 games annually and stole over 20 bases each year. Despite some fluctuations in offensive performance, he remained a solid player during the 2010s. His numbers dipped in the shortened 2020 season, leading to a trade to the A’s as part of a deal involving Khris Davis and future starting catcher Jonah Heim.
After a stint with the A’s, Andrus joined the White Sox late in 2022 and performed well over 43 games. He returned to the White Sox in the following season, hitting .251/.304/.358 while playing both shortstop and second base, which may mark the end of his major league career.
Andrus will be remembered for his 12-year tenure with the Rangers, accumulating over 7,000 plate appearances with a .274/.330/.372 line and 305 stolen bases. He was a regular on five playoff teams and logged over 17,000 innings at shortstop. In his final season, he reached milestones of 2,000 career hits and 100 home runs. Baseball Reference credits him with 34 wins above replacement, while FanGraphs lists him at 36 WAR.
Grant also spoke with Hall of Famer Adrian Beltré about Andrus’ impact on the Rangers. For Texas fans, Grant’s full column in the Dallas Morning News is worth reading. There’s speculation that the Rangers might honor Andrus in their Hall of Fame once he officially retires. If this is the end, MLBTR congratulates Andrus on his distinguished career and wishes him well in his future endeavors.
