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Five MLB players who have turned back the clock in 2025
Detroit Tigers outfielder Javier Baez. Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Five MLB players who have turned back the clock in 2025

In a baseball season full of intriguing storylines, a handful of veteran players may have located the fountain of youth in 2025. Or at the very least, a return to peak form after years of decline and/or injuries. 

Let's look at five such players:

Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers

Baez has objectively been one of the worst players in MLB since signing with the Detroit Tigers back in 2021. That hasn't been true of the veteran infielder in 2025, though. 

So far, Baez is slashing a surprising .309/.350/.479 with an .829 OPS in 94 at-bats. And these days, he's even robbing home runs out in center field.

Who knows how long Baez can keep up this resurgence, but he's undoubtedly a surprise catalyst behind the Tigers' ascent into one of baseball's top teams this season.

Aroldis Chapman, Boston Red Sox 

Once the hardest-throwing pitcher in all of MLB, Chapman has plenty of peers who can routinely top 100-plus miles per hour on the radar gun these days. 

Nonetheless, the 37-year-old reliever is still proving that he has gas left in the tank, with a 1.59 ERA in 13 appearances with the Red Sox. 

If a full-blown resurgence is in the cards for Chapman in 2025, Boston will be tough to beat in the late innings.

Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers

His second Tommy John surgery caused him to miss nearly all of the 2023 and 2024 campaigns after signing a five-year contract with the Texas Rangers, but deGrom has returned to dominance on the mound in 2025, with a 2.61 ERA in seven starts.

Baseball is better when deGrom, who was one of the most electrifying arms we've ever seen during his prime, is healthy and at his best. Not to mention, many of the Rangers' hopes and dreams depend on the strength of his right arm.

Paul Goldschmidt, New York Yankees

"Goldy" is looking like his old self in 2025, with a .351/.401/.478 triple slash and an .879 OPS in 134 at-bats with the Yankees as he benefits from hitting behind superstar outfielder Aaron Judge in New York's lineup.

It can be easy to forget just how much of a force the 2022 National League MVP with the St. Louis Cardinals used to be in his heyday, especially considering the two seasons of decline that followed that 2022 campaign. 

George Springer, Toronto Blue Jays 

Springer's Blue Jays tenure has mostly been a bust since signing a six-year contract with Toronto, but the veteran is out to prove his worth once again in 2025. In 95 at-bats thus far, Springer is slashing .316/.421/.547 with four home runs and a .968 OPS. 

That's a level of production the Blue Jays have to be pleased with, as the 35-year-old channels the talent that made him a star with the Houston Astros.

Seth Carlson

Seth Carlson is an experienced writer and editor based in the NYC area with a particular love for all things baseball. He has a demonstrated history of delivering insightful analysis and engaging content across multiple outlets and industries. Seth brings his expertise and commitment to high-quality coverage to Yardbarker’s readers.

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