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MLB rumors: 2017 was a really bad year for older position players

By Bobby Mueller

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Alber Pujols
ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Alber Pujols /
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MLB rumors and rumblings. Declining Production from Players 35 and Older

From 2013 to 2017, position players 35 and older averaged just 0.9 WAR per 600 plate appearances (Fangraphs WAR). This is about a half-win worse than this age group averaged previously and is their worst five-year stretch in the last 30 years. In that time (1988-2017), players 35 and older have been in the 1.4 WAR/600 PA range over each five-year period. Their production peaked from 1998 to 2002 before coming back to the baseline in the ensuing years and dropping recently. Here are the numbers in five-year increments.

WAR per 600 PA for players 35 and older:

  • 1.4 WAR/600 from 1988-1992
  • 1.5 WAR/600 from 1993-1997
  • 1.7 WAR/600 from 1998-2002
  • 1.3 WAR/600 from 2001-2007
  • 1.4 WAR/600 from 2008-2012
  • 0.9 WAR/600 from 2013-2017

Last season was particularly bad, as players 35 and older averaged just 0.4 WAR per 600 plate appearances. It was the worst season in the previous 30 years for this age group. In fact, the three worst seasons in the last 30 years for this group were 2017, 2015, and 2013. Unlike wine, baseball players are not getting better with age.

The best player 35 or older last year was Nelson Cruz, with 3.8 WAR. Adrian Beltre (3.1 WAR). Ian Kinsler (2.4 WAR), and Curtis Granderson (2.1 WAR) were the only other older position players to be league average or better. They were like fine wines carefully stored in the best environment.

The negatives included Albert Pujols (-2.0 WAR), Carlos Beltran (-1.1 WAR), Adrian Gonzalez (-1.1 WAR), and Victor Martinez (-1.1 WAR). With subpar offensive seasons and negative defensive value, they were among the worst players in baseball. They were like bottles of wine that had been left upright in the sunshine on a hot and humid day.

Along with declining production from older players has come declining playing time, especially recently. Older players aren’t as productive as they used to be and they don’t get as much playing time as they used to get.

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