All-Over 35 Team

I love thinking how Delgado would look behind the plate.

In a sharp turn from the yesterday, I'll go through the best players over 35. In a season where anyone over this age is being scrutinized more heavily than ever, I feel like this is an opportunity to remind everyone that steroids may not have as much to do with decline in performance as thought. Just because GM's fear that 35+ year olds won't perform well, means that they won't give them jobs (a la Steve Finley, Kenny Lofton, etc.), but if they don't get jobs, how can they prove they're still good. I realize some older players have declined, but that's what happened anyway due to old age. No, we don't have any old guys turning into Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds, but there are still quality players. Regardless, here are some guys performing at high-levels despite age.

C --> Ivan Rodriguez (.280/.323/.401, 7 HR, 35 RBI, 19 2B)
He gets a lot of crap for not being able to take walks, but honestly, he never really has. Still, he's improved in most areas, but he hasn't gotten the same playing time.

1B --> Carlos Delgado (.261/.346/.504, 33 HR, 100 RBI, 26 2B, 80 R)
Left for dead, Delgado has shown he still holds value (quite a bit actually). He now stands a chance at the MVP, especially if the Mets hold on.

2B --> Jeff Kent (.275/.324/.410, 11 HR, 57 RBI, 23 2B)
Still not a clubhouse favorite, Kent is still useful, just not as useful as he once was.

3B --> Melvin Mora (.283/.342/.493, 23 HR, 97 RBI, 27 2B, 74 R)
Who knew this guy was having such a good season? Like Markakis, he needs a new home, which he might be able to get now. Who needs a third baseman with the weak free-agent crop?

SS --> Omar Vizquel (.195/.257/.229)
Okay, you got me here, but I almost put down Miguel Tejada because who the hell knows how old he really is.

OF --> Manny Ramirez (.324/.424/.582, 31 HR, 102 RBI, 31 2B, 90 R)
Still one of the best hitters in game regardless of how you feel about his attitude. I just don't think he likes baseball.

OF --> Brian Giles (.300/.392/.444, 11 HR, 54 RBI, 32 2B)
Giles is still a good hitter, and he's walked 25 times more than he's struck out. With his OBP, that means something.

OF --> Raul Ibañez (.306/.371/.514, 23 HR, 102 RBI, 40 2B, 76 R)
He really doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he's a solid, above-average major-leaguer that will be highly-sought after this offseason. I wouldn't mind the Braves picking him up for two or three years.

SP --> Mike Mussina (17-8, 3.48 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 130 K, 178.1 IP)
After seeming to lose it last season, Moose has found it and saved his career.

SP --> Derek Lowe (12-11, 3.53 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 132 K, 188.2 IP)
And the Dodgers don't know if they want him back next season? Where'd all their money go?

SP --> Jamie Moyer (13-7, 3.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 107 K, 173 IP)
Something, something, age and treachery, something ...

SP --> Tim Wakefield (8-10, 4.11 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 102 K, 159.2 IP)
And the knuckler floats on.

SP --> Greg Maddux (7-11, 4.27 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 90 K, 175 IP)
Maddux still gets through innings faster than anyone else.

RP --> Arthur Rhodes (2.01 ERA, 20 HLD, 35 K, 31.1 IP)
He just pops on and off the radar at will.

RP --> Ron Mahay (2.88 ERA, 20 HLD, 45 K, 59.1 IP)
No one heard of this guy before being traded in the Teixeira deal. Now, everyone wants him.

RP --> Brian Shouse (2.39 ERA, 15 HLD, 33 K, 49 IP)
Another lefty, Shouse continues to get lefties (.177/.186/.292).

CP --> Mariano Rivera (1.43 ERA, 33/34 SV, 71 K, 63 IP)
For now, that big new contract looks good. Really good actually.