Yes, at age 33, (2008), Vlad had his worst season since his rookie year, (.886 OPS). He only posted a 130 OPS+.
This season, he's been hurt and missed a lot of time. He's posting a .734 (90 OPS+). Do I think he's going to smack 35 next year? No. But, longevity is largely attached to earliness of appearance. Vlad was .960 hitter at age 23. His age-related decline "should" be later than say ... Richie Sexson.
He may not be a .958 (his career OPS) hitter anymore. But, he hit 27 last season while missing 19 games. He's on pace for what ... 12 this year? If he were hitting .230, I'd be thinking maybe he was nearing the end. He's hitting .290 DESPITE playing hurt. Sounds to me VERY much like Beltre -- he was playing hurt this year, and the injuries dropped his ISO from 220 to 120. In his 7 games in July he managed a 1043 OPS with 2-HR and 2-doubles. The sample is WAY to small to be definitive, of course. Considering the talent, if he were 37, I'd be thinking age-related plummet might well be in play. At 34? No. Definitely smells more like injury-suppressed production.
Personally, I think the odds are greater that Wlad and/or Torii don't come back AT ALL this year, as opposed to them returning and playing badly.
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