Beginnings and endings are both a part of a new MLB season. As players around the Majors finally realize their big-league dreams, others are ready to end their careers, whether it's because of their age, a declining performance, or a combination of the two.
When it comes to the second half of the equation, one former Boston Red Sox slugger has revealed that retirement is on the menu following a disappointing free agency experience.
Red Sox Rumors: OF Adam Duvall Considering Retirement
On Monday, the New York Post's Joel Sherman reported that former Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall will retire if his free-agent contract demands aren't met.
"(Duvall) has informed teams that if he is not guaranteed at least $3 million, he is going to retire," Sherman wrote, adding that the 36-year-old recently rejected a $2 million offer from the Kansas City Royals.
Adam Duvall will opt to retire if his MLB free agency price isn’t met https://t.co/og14qDqp9j pic.twitter.com/8eC1hVxqSL
— New York Post (@nypost) March 3, 2025
Duvall is an 11-year veteran who's suited up in 1,026 regular-season games across five franchises since 2014. Red Sox fans will remember the former Louisville Cardinal from spending the 2023 campaign with the franchise before re-joining the Atlanta Braves for his third stint in the following offseason.
During his time in Boston, Duvall tallied 21 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 22 walks while slashing .247/.303/531 in 92 games, splitting his defensive duties across the outfield.
Although that performance was solid, the same can't be said for last year's numbers with the Braves. Duvall looked like a shell of his former self during the 2024 season, registering only 11 HRs and 30 RBIs while batting .182 with a career-worst .569 OPS in 104 appearances.
It's within a player's right to hold off signing a contract until they get their desired offer. With that in mind, Duvall has to be realistic about his goals. If MLB clubs legitimately viewed him as a $3 million player, chances are he would've been signed to that deal already.
Instead, the former All-Star OF is likely lucky the Royals were even willing to consider a $2 million deal. It was likely the best offer he could've gotten, meaning all signs point to his retirement unless he's willing to accept a lesser price.
According to Spotrac, Duvall has made over $30.8 million in career earnings across the last decade. In other words, he'll be just fine even if he doesn't sign another MLB contract, regardless of the amount.
With most clubs opening the 2025 campaign on Thursday, March 27, expect the former Red Sox slugger to decide on his future sooner rather than later.