Four Former Dodgers (And Kevin Kiermaier) Might Retire After 2024 Season
Following a player throughout his entire career is something special. It creates a sense of pride in the fans knowing that maybe for a few years, he played for their favorite team.
In this case, there are four former Los Angeles Dodgers — as well as current Dodgers outfielder Kevin Kiermaier — who have mentioned retirement at the end of this season or could be contemplating it.
Will Leitch of MLB.com wrote about nine players on Thursday who could be near the end of their careers. He excluded left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw and former Dodgers outfielder Kevin PIllar (who’s talked openly about retirement) but here is a look at the four he did mention.
Kevin Kiermaier Previously Announced His Retirement
Kiermaier already announced he’s retiring at the end of the season, so this is the last time Dodgers and baseball fans will see him out there.
The Dodgers acquired Kiermaier at the trade deadline from the Toronto Blue Jays. Through 22 games in Los Angeles, he is batting .196 with five runs scored, a double, a triple, a home run, and six runs batted in.
He’s still the same useful player he’s always been: a standout defensive outfielder who can swipe a base when you need it. If the Dodgers make it to the World Series, he could become a key contributor as he hit .368 with two homers against them as a member of the Tampa Bay Ray in the 2020 Series.
Rich Hill Could Be In Final Season, Too
The 44-year-old agreed to a deal with his hometown Boston Red Sox for the second half of the season marking his 20th consecutive season in Major League Baseball.
“You’d have to think this would be his last run – there isn’t much room for Jamie Moyer types in baseball today – but then again, we’ve all said that before about him,” Leitch wrote.
Hill has appeared in four games for the Red Sox this season out of the bullpen. He is 0-1 with an earned run average of 4.91. He has allowed two earned runs on one hit in 3.2 innings.
Jason Heyward Could Be Nearing the End of Career
Not many players have had a more memorable start to their big-league career than Heyward. A Georgia native, he homered in his very first game with the Braves, with Hank Aaron watching from the stands.
Heyward carved out a special place in Chicago Cubs history when he helped lead them to a World Series title in 2016 ending a 108-year drought.
After being released by the Dodgers on August 24 due to roster changes, Heyward quickly signed with the Astros and now has another shot at making an impact in the postseason this fall.
Justin Turner Still Going Strong at 39
Turner’s career has been quite a ride. He went from being an underwhelming prospect with the Mets to becoming a key leader and an underrated hitter with the Dodgers for nearly ten years.
He’s been a consistent force at the plate throughout his career — posting an above-average OPS+ for 13 straight seasons, including this year — and has made every lineup he’s been a part of stronger. And here’s a fun fact: he began his career with the Orioles.
Jesse Chavez ‘Likely’ To Retire, As Well
Chavez debuted as a reliever for the Pirates in 2008, but around a decade ago, he spent a few seasons as a starter for the A’s and Angels.
He was only with the Dodgers for 23 games in 2016.
In February, Chavez said this was likely to be his final season in MLB.
Photo Credit: Tim Vizer-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, livestreams, and more!
