10 MLB players we might have seen the last of

The coronavirus pandemic has forced baseball to hit the pause button, which could mean the end of the road for a number of players.

With baseball on hiatus and no end in sight, the following ten players might have played their last big-league games.

Adam Wainwright

During the 2018 season, Wainwright considered retirement after he was limited to eight starts and just over 40 innings due to injury. The curveball specialist stayed healthy last year and was an effective starter for the Cardinals, but he's also tied to a one-year deal and the club has a few young arms that may be worthy of a rotation spot soon (Alex Reyes, Genesis Cabrera, Matthew Liberatore).

If this is the end: Wainwright would retire a three-time All-Star, who finished top three in NL Cy Young voting four times throughout his career. He is also a World Series champion, two-time league wins leader, owns a Silver Slugger and two Gold Gloves.

Brett Gardner

In his age-35 season, Gardner was supposed to enter the year as a bench player. Instead, he turned in the best campaign of his career as the Yankees battled overwhelming injuries. Despite playing in more than 140 games for a ninth season, there was no assurance Gardner was going to return in 2020. The veteran said he received offers from multiple teams in the offseason, but opted to continue his playing career in pinstripes. With Aaron Hicks returning from injury, and Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, and Michael Tauchman all under contract for 2021, there might not be space in New York's outfield.

If this is the end: Should Gardner retire, he'll leave baseball with one All-Star appearance under his belt to go along with a World Series ring, stolen-base crown, and Gold Glove.

Clay Buchholz

Buchholz may have pitched the final game of his big-league career last season when he made 12 starts for the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent most of the year on the injured list with shoulder issues and wasn't very effective when he took the mound (6.56 ERA, 5.62 FIP). The oft-injured 35-year-old didn't appear to draw any interest in free agency before baseball went on hiatus and hasn't thrown more than 100 innings since 2016.

If this is the end: Buchholz would finish his career as a two-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion who pitched a no-hitter Sept. 1, 2007.

Russell Martin

While Martin was also unemployed before spring training was paused, his chances of playing appear limited by his selectivity and desire to play for a contender. The 37-year-old played out the last season of a five-year contract in 2019 and was limited to part-time duty with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

If this is the end: Martin would retire as a four-time All-Star who ranks ninth all time in WAR among catchers. He also won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger.

Mark Trumbo

It's been a long time since Trumbo was an effective big leaguer and it appears like the 34-year-old sees the writing on the wall. After playing just 102 games over the past two seasons, the veteran slugger mentioned that he thought his career might be over and was mulling other options such as coaching.

If this is the end: Trumbo would retire as a two-time All-Star, who won a Silver Slugger in 2016, the same year he was MLB's home-run king.

Marco Estrada

Even though rumors circulated last August that Estrada was set to hang up his spikes after a brutal five-outing campaign with the Oakland Athletics, the pitcher recently said he hopes to pitch again, but his wonky back was keeping him from doing so. The veteran is focusing on his family and living a healthy life, not baseball, because of the pandemic.

If this is the end: Estrada would retire as a one-time All-Star who nearly threw a no-hitter and a perfect game in back-to-back starts in 2015.

Dustin Pedroia

The end of the road appears near for the 2008 American League MVP. Since 2018, Pedroia has appeared in just nine games because of continued left knee issues. He was placed on the 60-day injured list in February after suffering a significant setback while rehabbing from a joint preservation procedure and did not report to spring training. He's still under contract until the end of 2021.

If this is the end: Pedroia would retire as a four-time All-Star with a number of accolades to his credit, including 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and 2008 AL MVP honors, as well as four Gold Gloves, one Silver Slugger, and two World Series rings.

Hanley Ramirez

As of January, Ramirez was still playing ball in the Dominican Winter League as he tried to recover from shoulder surgery and attempt a big-league comeback. At the time, the 36-year-old said he had no intention of retiring. Ramirez's last attempt to play in the majors didn't turn out well, either, as he hit just .184/.298/.327 in 16 games for the Cleveland Indians before being released last April.

If this is the end: Ramirez would retire as a three-time All-Star who won NL Rookie of the Year in 2006. He was also the NL batting champ in 2009, owns two Silver Sluggers, and reached the 30-30 plateau in 2008.

Ryan Braun

In January, while discussing the end of his possible tenure with the Milwaukee Brewers at the conclusion of the 2020 season, Braun mentioned that his career might be coming to an end as well. Braun still has a $15-million mutual option for the 2021 season, but the 36-year-old is far removed from being one of the game's best players anymore and the Brewers would likely want to spread that money elsewhere.

If this is the end: Braun would retire a six-time All-Star, who was named NL Rookie of the Year in 2007 and NL MVP in 2011. He's won five Silver Sluggers and was the NL home run leader in 2012.

Fernando Rodney

Rodney showed he still has gas left in the tank last year with the Washington Nationals, posting a 9.3 K/9 and pitching well in the playoffs. But he's 43 years old, has been inconsistent for several years, and couldn't secure a big-league gig for spring training.

If this is the end: Rodney would retire as a three-time All-Star and World Series champion. He won the Delivery Man of the Year award in 2012 when he posted a 0.60 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays and was also named Comeback Player of the Year that same season. He was also the AL saves leader in 2014 and is a member of the 300 saves club.

(WAR courtesy of FanGraphs)