10 MLB Players Who Should Probably Retire After 2016 Season

By Andrew Frosceno

There comes a time in every athlete’s career where it is time to hang ’em up. It takes players some time to realize this and many times it’s too late, as they look terrible on the field. These 10 guys should take this advice and retire before it’s too late.

Note: David Ortiz is not on this list due to already announcing 2016 is his final season.

10 MLB Players Who Should Probably Retire After 2016 Season

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Matt Holliday — At 36 years old, the Cardinals outfielder seems to be breaking down. He played in just 73 games last year as he battled injuries, hitting just .279 with only four homers. This season he is being moved to right field to try to limit the range he has to cover. It may be time for him to really consider hanging it up after a fine career.

Carl Crawford — Crawford has been a shell of himself since coming over to the Dodgers a few seasons ago. His game has always been predicated on his speed and athletic ability, but as he gets older, that continues to decline as he becomes a shell of himself. He isn't an everyday player anymore and hasn't played more than 116 games in the last three seasons.

Victor Martinez — Martinez is 37 years old and hit just .245 last season, his lowest total since 2008 when he hit .278. It could be a very ominous sign of what is to come. He spent some time on the DL last season, and there is a good chance he could continue to break down in 2016.

Jayson Werth — Werth struggled to stay healthy for the Nationals last season, as he was only able to play in 88 games. He was horrendous in those games, hitting just .221. He's always been a bit injury prone, and at 36 it's only going to get worse. He made himself into a solid player with a late-blooming type career, but it may be time.

Chase Utley — Utley is nothing more than a bench/role player right now. That is hard to see as he was the premier second baseman in the league for quite some time -- remember that '09 World Series against the Yankees? After last postseason's ugly incident with the Mets and his continued decline, it's surely time for Utley to pack it in.

A.J. Pierzynski — He had a pretty great 2015, hitting .300 with nine homers, but at 39, it's really close to being time for Pierzynski. As a catcher, his body has to be well beyond his years. He can't be an everyday catcher anymore as he will platoon with Tyler Flowers this season in Atlanta. It's okay though, because Pierzynski has been great on television when he's been a guest analyst in the playoffs. He certainly has a future there when he retires.

Bartolo Colon — Colon continues to defy the aging odds, but eventually things are going to have to come to an end. At 42 years old, that time should be after this season. He should retire while he's somewhat on top. He is extremely popular among the Mets' fanbase, and it would be a shame to see him hang on just one year too long and have them turn against him.

Carlos Beltran — Beltran got off to a slow start last season, but he picked it up to eventually become one of the Yankees' more consistent hitters. At 38 years old and a shell of himself, it is a good time for Beltran to hang it up. He has already hinted at it and his contract is up after this season. He's had a borderline Hall of Fame career and has been a tremendous player.

Ichiro Suzuki — Ichiro is a bench player right now which is surely hard to see after the outstanding career he had in Seattle. He hit just .229 last year, and at 42 years old, it is just time. Ichiro opened up MLB for Japanese players, and he will surely be in Cooperstown. It's already getting ugly for him, so he can't let things drag on much longer.

Alex Rodriguez — A-Rod had a great season last year under the circumstances that were put on him. He was quite the surprise for the Yankees, but he started to show signs of slowing down a bit as the season drew to a close. It's hard to see him being as good in 2016. He probably won't retire thanks to his contract and his love for the game, but if 2016 goes as '15 ended, he should consider it. He surely has a future in TV if he wants it, as he was outstanding on FOX's World Series coverage.

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