MLB · 1 year ago

10 Former MLB All-Stars Nearing the End of Their Careers

Sportsgrid Staff

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Justin Turner, TOR
49 G, 4 HR, 20 RBI, .217 AVG, 91 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR

Don't be misled by some of the stats; Justin Turner has been difficult to watch for this year's Blue Jays. He started the season as one of the strongest hitters in baseball but has since plummeted. Over his last 20 games, Turner, the oldest position player in the league, is hitting just .105 with an OPS of only .319. It's been a tough stretch, and it's unlikely he'll finish the season with the Blue Jays at this rate.

This post by Eric Treuden appeared first on Just Baseball.

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Jose Abreu, HOU
25 G, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .111 AVG, -17 wRC+, -1.5 fWAR

Jose Abreu, 37, is enduring what might be the worst season in all of baseball, consistently appearing overmatched at the plate. The 2020 AL MVP requested a brief stint in the minor leagues earlier this year to improve his performance. Since his return from a month-long stint in the minors, he's gone 2-for-10 in three games. Abreu is under contract through next year and won't be a free agent until after the 2025 season. However, if he can't turn things around, retirement might be a possibility.

This post by Eric Treuden appeared first on Just Baseball.

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Charlie Blackmon, COL
46 G, 2 HR, 24 RBI, .242 AVG, 82 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

Charlie Blackmon hasn't struggled as much as Abreu, but his performance has noticeably declined. The four-time All-Star has been around league average for the past five years, but this is the first season his OPS has fallen into the .600s. As a pending free agent who struggles defensively and whose offensive numbers are dropping, Blackmon now has the second-lowest wRC+ among active qualified players aged 34 or older.
Brandon Crawford, STL
11 G, 0 HR, 0 RBI, .097 AVG, -13 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR

Brandon Crawford, 37, is the second player on our list with a negative wRC+, and we're only three players in. Crawford has appeared in just 11 games for the Cardinals this year and has struggled significantly whenever he’s been called upon. Currently serving as a seldom-used bench player and mentor to Masyn Winn, his spot on the roster is in jeopardy if his poor production continues, making it unlikely he'll last until the All-Star Break.
Adam Duvall, ATL
37 G, 5 HR, 13 RBI, .196 AVG, 89 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Adam Duvall, an 11-year veteran, has been a streaky hitter in recent years, alternating between hot and cold seasons. Currently, he is in the midst of a cold spell, with his average and OPS dropping significantly. The 35-year-old has been ineffective against right-handed pitching, which raises concerns about the direction of his career. After struggling to secure a major league deal this offseason, it's likely that his opportunities will be even scarcer next year.
Yasmani Grandal, PIT
17 G, 2 HR, 11 RBI, .207 AVG, 61 wRC+, 0.1 fWAR

Similar to Crawford, Yasmani Grandal has been performing so poorly that his team is scarcely using him. The veteran switch-hitter has been gradually declining in recent years, but his offensive drop-off in 2024 is particularly concerning. At 35 years old, with declining batting performance and below-average catching metrics, Grandal might be playing out the last contract he'll receive at the major league level.
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Jason Heyward, LAD
14 G, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .225 AVG, 97 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR

Jason Heyward hasn't seen much playing time with the Dodgers recently, making any strong performance at the plate significantly boost his stats. The 15-year veteran went 2-for-2 with a triple and a home run on Wednesday, giving a much-needed lift to his struggling numbers. Before that game, the five-time Gold Glover was hitting just .184, leaving his future uncertain.
Whit Merrifield, PHI
30 G, 2 HR, 13 RBI, .184 AVG, 62 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR

When the Phillies brought in Whit Merrifield to fill a utility role in their lineup, this is not what they had envisioned. Despite being an All-Star as recently as last season, he has struggled to perform at the start of 2024. Merrifield hasn’t hit well and has a -2 OAA in left field and -1 at second base, contributing little to the team. With a 62 wRC+, he has the second-lowest rating among players with at least 100 plate appearances this season. There's no chance the Phillies will pick up his 2025 team option.
Carlos Santana, MIN
52 G, 7 HR, 22 RBI, .208 AVG, 89 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR

Carlos Santana has had more playing time than anyone else on this list and has been "just okay" at the plate. However, at 38, it's uncertain how much more he has left in the tank. The veteran switch-hitter has seen his walk rate decline and his OPS drop significantly. If he can't get on base as he has throughout his career, he offers very little to a Twins team aiming for contention.
Chris Taylor, LAD
33 G, 0 HR, 8 RBI, .108 AVG, 12 wRC+, -0.8 fWAR

Aside from Abreu, Chris Taylor is easily the most unproductive player on this list. His decline has been remarkable, and not in a positive way. Since his All-Star 2021 season, his offensive production has plummeted, with his strikeout rate increasing by nearly 8% and a significant drop in on-base percentage. Additionally, as a super-utility player, he has posted 0 OAA or lower at three different positions this season. Although he is technically under contract until the end of next year, it's uncertain if he will last that long.
Justin Turner, TOR
49 G, 4 HR, 20 RBI, .217 AVG, 91 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR

Don't be misled by some of the stats; Justin Turner has been difficult to watch for this year's Blue Jays. He started the season as one of the strongest hitters in baseball but has since plummeted. Over his last 20 games, Turner, the oldest position player in the league, is hitting just .105 with an OPS of only .319. It's been a tough stretch, and it's unlikely he'll finish the season with the Blue Jays at this rate.

This post by Eric Treuden appeared first on Just Baseball.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Jose Abreu, HOU
25 G, 0 HR, 4 RBI, .111 AVG, -17 wRC+, -1.5 fWAR

Jose Abreu, 37, is enduring what might be the worst season in all of baseball, consistently appearing overmatched at the plate. The 2020 AL MVP requested a brief stint in the minor leagues earlier this year to improve his performance. Since his return from a month-long stint in the minors, he's gone 2-for-10 in three games. Abreu is under contract through next year and won't be a free agent until after the 2025 season. However, if he can't turn things around, retirement might be a possibility.

This post by Eric Treuden appeared first on Just Baseball.

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10 Former MLB All-Stars Nearing the End of Their Careers

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