Former MLB stars who could have already performed their final video games

This 12 months, we’ve seen former high quality MLB gamers similar to Joakim Soria, Daniel Murphy, Cody Allen, Nick Markakis, Hector Rondon, Jordan Zimmermann, Welington Castillo and Nate Jones resolve to retire. All current MLB free agents are experiencing the primary work stoppage of their careers proper now. Ought to the lockout finish someday in February, there could possibly be a burst of concentrated free agent signings and trades not like something we’ve ever seen earlier than.

Whereas that can probably work out simply advantageous for the likes of Carlos Correa, Kris Bryant and Freddie Freeman, a free agent frenzy might additionally embody a chilly shoulder towards former MLB stars nearing the tip of their careers. As an alternative of placing the ending touches on rosters with a sprinkling of February or March one-year MLB offers and minor league offers, entrance places of work might be working to accumulate many vital star and mid-tier free brokers and commerce targets when the lockout ends. It stands to purpose that many veterans with declining abilities might be advised they should wait even longer earlier than a workforce is keen to commit. That would depart former stars with out jobs. Let’s check out eight elder statesmen who could at the least think about retirement.

• Albert Pujols: 42 in January, Pujols mashed lefties and gave the Dodgers a veteran presence off the bench this 12 months. Again in October, he said, “I don’t suppose my time to retire has come. I don’t wish to sit in my home subsequent 12 months, figuring out that I can nonetheless maintain taking part in.” Pujols is 21 house runs shy of 700 for his profession, and he’d be aided by the addition of the NL DH.
• Ryan Zimmerman: Zimmerman, 37, had an October send-off at Nationals Park however hasn’t publicly decided about retirement. At a press convention, he said, “Do I wish to maintain taking part in? I believe I can maintain taking part in. I believe I had a very good 12 months with the function that I used to be alleged to do, and now it’s a choice of whether or not I wish to maintain doing that, or do I wish to be round my household a bit bit extra. I believe the one factor I form of advised Davey is I began the season round 50/50 and it hasn’t gone up.” GM Mike Rizzo mentioned Zimmerman has an MLB contract with the workforce so long as he desires it.
• Brett Gardner: Gardner, 38, scuffled with the bat this 12 months however wasn’t a lot worse than he was in 2016 or ’18. He wants to return to the Yankees in 2022 however selected a $1.15M buyout over a $2.3M participant choice.
• Nelson Cruz: Cruz, 41, has been defying age for a few years however managed solely a 96 wRC+ in 238 plate appearances after a commerce to the Rays. Before the season, Cruz mentioned “retirement will not be on my thoughts,” and now he might need the possibility to DH within the Nationwide League. Cruz is tied with Jeff Bagwell and Vladimir Guerrero at fortieth on the all-time house run leaderboard with 449. It’s straightforward to see Cruz striving for the five hundred membership, which at present has 28 members.
• Jed Lowrie: Lowrie, 38 in April, performed solely 9 video games from 2019-20, encompassing his contract with the Mets. This 12 months, surprisingly, he performed 139 video games for the A’s. Lowrie struggled within the season’s ultimate two months, however so far he’s given no indication he’s trying to retire.
• Zack Greinke: Greinke, 38, gave up 20 earned runs over 15 1/3 innings in his ultimate 4 regular-season appearances, ballooning his ERA from 3.41 to 4.16. He battled via COVID-19 and neck soreness however capped his season by giving the Astros 4 scoreless innings to begin Sport 4 of the World Collection. Requested after the sport if he desires to proceed taking part in, Greinke declined to answer. Back in March, Greinke mentioned, “Hopefully, I’ll pitch so much longer nonetheless, however plenty of issues come into play on whether or not you’re allowed to pitch so long as you wish to and stuff.”
• J.A. Happ: Happ, 39, posted a 6.77 ERA in 19 begins for the Twins however managed a 4.00 mark in 11 outings after being traded to the Cardinals. He’s given no indication about retirement.
• Jon Lester: Lester, 38 in January, additionally pitched higher upon a commerce to the Cardinals this 12 months. Asked in September about taking part in in 2022, Lester was reportedly noncommittal. He reached his 2 hundredth profession win on Sept. 20.