Blue Jays’ Brandon Belt says he’ll consider retirement following 2023 season
While showing on an episode of the Foul Territory podcast Thursday, Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter/first baseman Brandon Belt stated that he’s considering retirement on the finish of the 2023 season.
The 13-year MLB veteran, who signed with the Blue Jays within the low season on a one-year, $9.3-million contract, was requested about his pending free company.
“I think I might have a few more options next year, but I am getting on up there in age, so it might turn a lot of people off, but I’m still trying to figure out kinda what I want to do,” Belt stated. “I’m 35 this yr. I acquired two boys which might be getting older, and it’s getting harder on all of us after I’m gone on a regular basis.
“This something I gotta take into consideration and figure out whether I want to keep going or go home and be with my family.”
After present process knee surgical procedure that ended his 2022 season, Belt has change into a pressure in the course of the Blue Jays’ lineup in 2023, slashing .250/.369/.465 in 94 video games with 15 house runs and a 130 OPS+.
He has been particularly efficient after struggling in April, posting a .901 OPS since May 1.
“I think physically and mentally, as far as baseball goes, I got a lot left in the tank,” he instructed former all-star Adam Jones. “I really feel like I can go a couple of extra years and play good, productive baseball. I really feel like I might be aggressive.
“I think that’s the tough part that every ballplayer has to come to at some point is the choice of whether you want to keep playing or retire, but we’re all competitors when it comes down to it, and it’s hard to stop competing when you know you can compete at the highest level.”
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After being chosen within the fifth spherical of the 2009 draft by the Giants, Belt went on to play 12 major-league seasons with San Francisco, the place he was part of two World Series-winning groups. He has appeared in 1,404 profession video games whereas hitting .260/.357/.458 with 190 house runs. He made one all-star look in 2016 and obtained MVP votes in 2020.
Belt later talked about with the ability to spend extra time together with his household as a driving think about his choice, regardless of nonetheless having fun with the sport.
“When you think about your family and how tough it’s been on them and how tough it’s been on me over the past couple years to be away from them, that definitely takes a toll,” he stated. “As far as baseball goes, I like the sport, I like taking part in baseball, I like being on the sector, it’s quite a lot of the opposite stuff I get bored with.
“The travelling, being at the field for hours and hours and hours at a time, being away from the family, so there’s a lot of stuff I gotta consider this off-season. I’m just not sure where I’m headed yet.”
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