MLB's eldest: A-Rod among productive 40-year-olds
Whether Alex Rodriguez retires following next season or the one after, he'll likely do so as the oldest player in baseball.
Rodriguez, 40, indicated Wednesday he'll retire when his current contract expires, which is after the 2017 campaign. And while he could still change his mind by that time, A-Rod will be 42, the same age as MLB's current elder statesmen, Bartolo Colon and Ichiro Suzuki.
With spring training nearing a close, and in lieu of A-Rod's eventual retirement, we rounded up baseball's five oldest players under contract for the 2016 season. Perhaps most impressive of MLB's fab five: They all remain remarkably productive into their 40s.
Bartolo Colon
Age: 42
MLB seasons: 18
Teams: Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, Chicago White Sox, Los Angeles/Anaheim Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets
'Big Sexy' Bartolo Colon may have been an acquired taste during parts of his career, but this fine wine, who is staying great with age, is becoming more likable to the pallets of baseball fans everywhere. Whether he's anchoring the back end of the Mets' impressive rotation, or putting smiles on the faces of those who watch him during an at-bat, Colon, who said Wednesday that the thought of retirement has only "crossed" his mind, remains one of the most popular players in the majors.
Ichiro Suzuki
Age: 42
MLB seasons: 15
Teams: Seattle Mariners, Yankees, Miami Marlins
Ichiro, one of the greatest hitters in the game, continues to extend his career, and recently the Japanese sensation said he felt like he could play into his 50s. He may not possess the same skill and speed as he did when he was racking up more than 200 hits a season, but he still gives the Marlins a capable fourth outfield option, and is just 65 hits away from joining the 3,000 club.
R.A. Dickey
Age: 41
MLB seasons: 13
Teams: Texas Rangers, Mariners, Minnesota Twins, Mets, Toronto Blue Jays
The knuckleballer and former NL Cy Young winner remains one of the more durable starters in the league, having hurled five straight 200-inning seasons. Dickey's longevity can be traced to the lack of wear his signature pitch puts on his arm, and it's one of the reasons why he'll be expected to assume another prominent role on a Blue Jays' club eyeing the postseason again in 2016, and where his career ends up after that is still undecided in his mind.
Koji Uehara
Age: 40
MLB seasons: 7
Teams: Baltimore Orioles, Rangers, Red Sox
Uehara won't be closing the door for the Red Sox this season after the club traded for Craig Kimbrel, but he'll provide a great deal of help in forming what looks to be a fantastic back end of their bullpen. Even at 40, and coming back from a wrist fracture, Uehara is a potent weapon who can fool hitters with his wide assortment of pitches, which includes his signature splitter. His three-year run in Boston, which began at the age of 38, has already been the most successful stretch of his career, having notched 72 saves, with a sparkling 1.86 ERA.
Alex Rodriguez
Age: 40
MLB seasons: 21
Teams: Mariners, Rangers, Yankees
A-Rod proved age is just a number after an improbable 2015 comeback campaign. After missing an entire year due to a suspension, the slugger made a glorious return, swatting 33 home runs to go along with 86 RBIs, and helping the Yankees return to the postseason for the first time since 2012. The three-time MVP remains under contract through 2017, so whether he honors his retirement plan or not, fans will be treated to two more years of the most controversial player in baseball.