3 Impact MLB Players Who Retired in the Offseason
The 2023-24 Major League Baseball (MLB) offseason featured plenty of player movement, most notably two-way Japanese sensation Shohei Ohtani signing a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers also acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow and signed him to a five-year, $135 million contract extension, while Aroldis Chapman (Pittsburgh Pirates), Matt Chapman (San Francisco Giants), and Sonny Gray (St. Louis Cardinals) were among the other players to sign with new teams.
In addition, many former MLB All-Stars announced their retirements during the offseason. Below are four of the most notable players to call it a career before Opening Day of the 2024 MLB season.
1. Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera, a future Hall of Famer and arguably one of the greatest hitters of all time, announced his intention to retire last season and played his final game in front of a capacity crowd at Comerica Park on October 1. While the 21-year veteran recorded a sub-800 OPS (on-base plus slugging) in each of his final five seasons, he was one of the most dominant power hitters in baseball from 2004-2016. Cabrera won two American League (AL) MVPs, finished top-five in MVP voting in five other seasons, led the AL in home runs twice, and won four batting titles during this time.
Cabrera began his career with the Miami Marlins in 2003 and was traded to the Tigers in December 2007. In 2012, he led all AL players in home runs (44), RBI (139), and batting average (.338), becoming the first player to win the Triple Crown since 1967. He retired with 511 home runs, 1,881 RBI, and a .306 batting average in 2,797 regular season games. He's among the top-20 players all-time for hits (17th), doubles (13th), RBI (13th), and total bases (14th).
2. Josh Donaldson
Josh Donaldson, another former AL MVP, announced his retirement on March 4 on an episode of Sean Casey's "The Mayor's Office" podcast. The 38-year-old third baseman was a three-time All-Star and played for seven teams in his 13-year career. He most recently played for the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees, but he was at his best as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Donaldson won the AL MVP with Toronto in 2015 after hitting 41 home runs and recording an AL-best 123 RBI. He averaged 33 home runs and a .284 batting average in four seasons from 2013-16.
3. Adam Wainwright
A three-time National League (NL) All-Star pitcher, Adam Wainwright spent his entire 18-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He won a World Series with the team in 2006 and finished his career with a 200-128 record to go along with a 3.53 ERA and 2,202 strikeouts.
Wainwright won his 200th game in his final career start, throwing seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball in a victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. He's one of only 122 pitchers with 200 career victories.