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MLB: Five Aging Stars Primed to Decline in 2017

By Adam Tabakin

Sep 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Rangers right fielder Carlos Beltran (36) hits a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first at U.S. Cellular Field. MLB. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher James Shields (25) pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the first at U.S. Cellular Field. MLB. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

The 2017 MLB season could be the beginning of the end for some of the brightest stars of the past 15 years.

The best careers in MLB are those that have both longevity and a high peak. After that peak has been traversed, sometimes the fall can be a little less graceful than some may like.

In the 2016 season there were 17 hitters age 34 or older who played a full season of at least 502 plate appearances, and seven starting pitchers age 34 or older who pitched a full season of at least 162 innings. Out of these 24 players, only David Ortiz rode off into the sunset. This leaves a plentiful sample of older players who are still major league regulars late in their careers.

Some of these players, such as Adrian Beltre (approaching his age-38 season), Ian Kinsler (35) and Nelson Cruz (36), display few signs of slowing down. Other players, such as Alexei Ramirez (35) and James Shields (35) have all but worn out their usefulness as starters. Somewhere in the middle is a group of players who are prime candidates to see the effects of age catch up to them, either starting or accelerating the decline of very good to great careers.

Here are five players who might see their production take a significant downturn in 2017 as Father Time works his unfortunate magic.

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