LaTroy Hawkins could return to play in 2015

Few would have expected LaTroy Hawkins to still be pitching in the Major Leagues at the age of 41, but the veteran right-hander is still throwing in his 20th season in the Major Leagues. There don’t appear to be many indications that he’s ready to slow down either.

Hawkins signed a one year deal this past offseason to rejoin the Colorado Rockies (he’d spent the 2007 season in Colorado as well), in part due to an opportunity to close for the team at least in the early part of the season. The Rockies, who appear set to eventually turn the closer’s role over to Rex Brothers, appeared to like Hawkins’ experience and hoped that he could potentially mentor their young power arm. Hawkins has saved ten games for the Rockies in the early part of the season, but has otherwise seen many of his peripheral numbers rise over his 17 appearances for the team. He’s posted a 4.11 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, and just 3.5 K/9 over 15.1 innings of work.

Colorado is paying Hawkins just $2.25 Million this season and they hold a team option for 2015 at the same amount (with a $250,000 buyout).

Playing for ten teams over the course of his career, Hawkins holds a 4.37 ERA and 1.418 WHIP in 1389.2 inning pitched. He’s saved 111 games over the years since moving to a bullpen role after spending the first five seasons of his career working out of the starting rotation for the Minnesota Twins.

Hawkins has face the retirement questions plenty in recent years, but continues to return to the mound to pitch relatively effectively. If he’s able to continue that another season and, of course, stay healthy then it wouldn’t be out of the question to see the Rockies want him back for another year.