Ahead of the 2023 Major League Baseball season, here's a look at six stars who could be entering the final campaigns of their respective careers.
Miguel Cabrera, Detroit Tigers
Could Miguel Cabrera be entering the final season of his career?
(Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Of the names on this list, Cabrera appears to be the most certain to retire after the 2023 season. While he could always change his mind, Cabrera has pretty consistently said that he plans to retire next offseason. That's an admission that even Cabrera -- who will turn 40 in April -- knows that there's no way that the Tigers will pick up his $30 million club option for 2024. The two-time American League MVP is one of the greatest players in the history of both the Tigers and Miami Marlins franchises, and is a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Josh Donaldson, New York Yankees
Could Josh Donaldson be entering the final season of his career?
(Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Donaldson is entering the final year of a four-year/$92 million deal that he initially signed with the Minnesota Twins. The former AL MVP slashed .222/.308/.374 with a .682 OPS in his first season with the Yankees, and if he doesn't rebound in 2023, it's not a guarantee that Donaldson, 37, will get a Major League opportunity in 2024. Regardless, it seems unlikely that both sides of a $6 million club option for 2024 will be picked up.
Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
Could Joey Votto be entering the final season of his career?
(Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
One of the greatest players in Cincinnati Reds history, Votto is entering the final season of a 10-year/$225 million deal. After homering 36 times in something of a career resurgence in 2021, Votto's 2022 season ended prematurely because of a left rotator cuff injury. Now 39, Votto's contract contains a $20 million club option for 2024. But given how he performed in 2022 and that the Reds have slashed costs in recent years, there's a good chance that 2023 is the final year that the former National League MVP spends with the only team he's ever played for.
Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals
Could Adam Wainwright be entering the final season of his career?
(Scott Kane/Getty Images)
Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina both retired after the 2022 season, and it's possible that Wainwright isn't far behind them. Set to turn 42 in August, Wainwright is back on a one-year/$17.5 million deal for 2023. Wainwright -- who has spent his entire career with the Cardinals -- went 11-12 with a 3.71 ERA and 3.66 FIP across 191 2/3 innings pitched in 2022.
Brandon Crawford, San Francisco Giants
Could Brandon Crawford be entering the final season of his career?
(Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Crawford finished fourth in NL MVP Award voting in 2021, a magical season that saw the Giants set a franchise record with 107 wins. The three-time All-Star wasn't able to replicate his 2021 campaign, slashing .231/.308/.344 in 2022. At one point this offseason, it seemed like the four-time Gold Glove Award winner might be moved to third base in 2023 to accommodate the signing of Carlos Correa. Of course, the Correa deal fell through, so the 36-year-old will remain at shortstop this season. But at the very least, there seems to be writing on the wall that the second season of a two-year/$32 million deal will mark the end of Crawford's excellent tenure in San Francisco.
Rich Hill, Pittsburgh Pirates
With the aforementioned Pujols retiring, Hill, 42, is now the oldest active player in baseball. The journeyman lefty posted a 4.27 ERA and 3.92 FIP across 124 1/3 innings pitched a season ago with the Boston Red Sox, enough to intrigue the Pirates into giving him $8 million for the 2023 season. Until it actually does prove to be Hill's last season, he'll be on this list every year.
Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies
Could Charlie Blackmon be entering the final season of his career?
(Justin Berl/Getty Images)
It's hard to imagine going to Coors Field and not hearing "Your Love" as Blackmon walks to the left-handed batter's box, but that may become reality in 2024. Blackmon, 36, is entering the final season of a six-year/$108 million deal. He still posted a .733 OPS in 2022, so it's possible that the four-time All-Star will continue his career in 2024, whether it's with the Rockies or another team. But the possibility that 2023 is his last year -- whether by choice or because he hits a wall -- should at least be on your radar.
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