The 15 best MLB players over 35

The 36-year-old Choo made his first All-Star appearance last year, but he has been a productive hitter for a long time. He has a career .378 on-base percentage and has hit at least 20 home runs six times.

At age 38, Cruz is still going strong as one of the game's top power hitters. He hit 37 home runs last season and has a  203 home runs since 2014.

Encarnacion remains one of the game's top middle-of-the-order hitters at age 36. He has a streak of seven straight seasons with at least 32 home runs and had 100-plus RBI in six of those years.

The Cardinals 2011 World Series hero, Freese is now more of a role player. He's still productive, hitting .296-11-51 in 312 plate appearances between the Pirates and Dodgers last season at age 35.

Happ signed a two-year, $34 million contract with the Yankees this offseason despite turning 36 in October. The lefty was an All-Star last season, going 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 31 starts between Toronto and the Yankees.

Hill had a late-career resurgence and was excellent for the Dodgers last year at age 38 with a 3.66 ERA in 132.2 innings. The lefty started this season on the injured list with a knee issue.

Kinsler, 36, has had an outstanding major league career, making four All-Star appearances. He's still going strong as a utilityman for the Padres after hitting .240-14-48 with 16 stolen bases for the Angels and Boston last year.

Still the heart and soul of the Cardinals roster at age 36, Molina has made nine All-Star teams and won an equal number of Gold Gloves. He accomplished both feats last year and finished the season hitting .261-20-74.

Oh joined the majors from Japan at age 33, and has been a good reliever in the States over the last three seasons. Last year he posted a 2.63 ERA in 73 appearances between Toronto and Colorado at age 35.

Pearce was a key piece of the puzzle for the world champion Red Sox last year, posting a .901 OPS after joining the team from Toronto. He turns 36 on April 13 and will play a key role again this year as Mitch Moreland's platoon partner at first base.

Rodney is 42 but still going strong in the Oakland bullpen. He has 325 career saves and posted a 3.36 ERA in 68 appearances between Minnesota and Oakland last year.

Romo got work in the Rays pen as a closer last year and could get that same opportunity this year for the Marlins at age 36. He had 25 saves with a 4.14 ERA in 73 appearances last year.

Sabathia is entering the final year of what's likely a Hall of Fame career at age 38. The former Cy Young winner went 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts for the Yankees last year.

Verlander finished second in the AL Cy Young race last year after going 16-9 with a 2.52 ERA and league-high 290 strikeouts in 214 innings. He was recently rewarded with a two-year extension at age 36.

A World Series winner in back-to-back years with the Royals and Cubs in 2015-2016, Zobrist is a three-time All-Star and still productive offensively. He hit .305 BA/.378 OBP/.440 SLG last year as a semi-regular for Chicago at age 37.