Time To Hang It Up: Five MLB Players Who Should Retire

With another MLB season upcoming, it's never too early to look at which veterans could be playing in their final year. Following the 2024 campaign, notable players like Charlie Blackmon, Daniel Hudson, and Brandon Crawford decided to hang it up after their long careers.

Blackmon played all 14 of his professional seasons with the Colorado Rockies, where he was a four-time All-Star and two-time Silver Slugger winner. Hudson played five 15 seasons and owned a 3.74 ERA while playing for seven different teams. Crawford played most of his career with the San Francisco Giants and helped them win two World Series.

So, which players could decide to hang it up after 2025? Let's dive in and look at the five likeliest veterans who could be playing in their final games this season.

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Justin Verlander, SP, San Francisco Giants

When it's all set and done, pitcher Justin Verlander will likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He has won three Cy Young Awards and was named the American League MVP during the 2011 season. Verlander is now entering his 20th major league season in 2025 after signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants in free agency. 

However, there's a good chance that this could be the veteran's final rodeo. He just turned 42 years old, and injuries have limited him in recent seasons. Verlander only made 17 starts with the Houston Astros last season following two separate stints on the injured list. That could have played a part in his career-worst season in 2024. He finished with a 5.48 ERA and 74 strikeouts across 90 1/3 innings pitched. 

Oh my god.

For Justin’s birthday Matt Chapman rolled him out in a wheelchair and all rookies and teammates with less than one year of service time sung him Happy Birthday.

😂 pic.twitter.com/1VvXBULIJ9

— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) February 23, 2025

It will be interesting to see if Verlander can recapture some of that Cy Young form with the Giants this upcoming season. But it's pretty clear that at age 42, the best is behind him. Given that the right-hander is just on a one-year deal, retirement will certainly be a possibility for him after 2025.

Charlie Morton, SP, Baltimore Orioles

Pitcher Charlie Morton was on this exact list before last season, but it appears the right-hander has at least one more year left in him. The Baltimore Orioles signed the veteran to a one-year, $15 million deal this offseason. Morton will now pitch in his 18th season in 2025 and his first with the Orioles. 

Charlie Morton: "At the end of the day, in my heart, I just wasn't ready to shut it down with an opportunity like this on the table." pic.twitter.com/3bOupgMwRp

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 24, 2025

Although Morton just turned 41, he has been one of the more consistent veteran pitchers in recent years. He has made at least 30 starts and finished with under a 4.35 ERA in four straight seasons. In 2024, the right-hander had a 4.19 ERA and 167 strikeouts across 165 1/3 innings pitched with the Atlanta Braves. 

As a result, Morton will likely finish with similar numbers this upcoming season. Since he is on a one-year deal, though, we should appreciate all the two-time All-Star has done in his career because this could be the final year that he pitches in the majors. 

Max Scherzer, SP, Toronto Blue Jays

Pitcher Max Scherzer is another player on this list who will likely be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when he retires. He has won three Cy Young Awards in his career to go with eight All-Star appearances and two World Series rings. However, his time in the majors should be coming to an end shortly. 

Scherzer will be turning 41 years old in July, and injuries are starting to catch up to him. He missed six weeks at the end of the 2023 season before returning to the American League Championship Series against the Astros. Then, the right-hander made just nine starts last year as he dealt with some arm fatigue and nerve issues. 

So, the 2025 season could be the final year for Scherzer. He signed a one-year deal with the Blue Jays this offseason and could decide to eventually hang it up after the season following a successful career. 

Carlos Santana, 1B, Cleveland Guardians

First baseman Carlos Santana signing with the Cleveland Guardians this offseason is a full-circle moment for him. He started his career in Cleveland back in 2010, and there's a great chance that he'll end his career in Cleveland in 2025. Santana signed with the Guardians this past winter for $12 million over one season. 

Santana might not have the same power he once had at the plate, but he can still hit over 20 home runs at this point in his career. The slugger has hit at least 23 home runs and driven in 70 runs in back-to-back seasons. As a result, he should start most games at first base for the Guardians this upcoming season. 

However, the 2025 campaign might be the final time we see Santana on the field. He is turning 39 years old in April and will be playing in his 16th MLB season. The switch-hitting first baseman is also the second-oldest position player in the majors this year, only behind infielder Justin Turner. 

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates

There's no doubt that outfielder Andrew McCutchen has had an exceptional career in the majors. He is a former National League MVP, a five-time All-Star, and a four-time Silver Slugger winner. McCutchen will also be entering his 17th MLB season in 2025 and his 12th year with the Pirates. Pittsburgh re-signed the veteran this offseason to a one-year, $5 million deal in free agency. 

Raise the Jolly Roger! It’s @Pirates photo day:

🏴‍☠️ Paul Skenes
🏴‍☠️ Oneil Cruz
🏴‍☠️ Andrew McCutchen
🏴‍☠️ Jared Jones pic.twitter.com/pQA9O1bu8j

— MLB (@MLB) February 24, 2025

Nevertheless, this could be the final year of McCutchen's career. He will turn 39 years old in October and is coming off a season in which he hit .232 at the plate with 20 home runs and 50 RBI. In addition, the former MVP has missed some time over the past two years due to different injuries. 

So, there's a great chance that McCutchen decides to hang it up after the 2025 season. He is certainly past his prime and could end his career the same way he started by playing for the Pirates. 

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