Fantasy baseball world: Old guys who can still deliver at plate

Baseball might be a young man’s game, but staff writer Tim Hubbard looks at three players, each 37 or older, who can still swing with the kids.

David Ortiz

DH | Boston

Big Papi had reached the 100-RBI plateau only once in the last six seasons, and knocked in only 60 in an injury-plagued 2012. But the 37-year-old has been healthy in 2013, and he has returned to being a beast in the middle of the Red Sox lineup, hitting .330 with 22 home runs and 74 RBIs. He still carries quite the fear factor too, as his MLB-leading 16 intentional walks attest.

Torii Hunter

OF | Detroit

The Angels could have saved themselves a load of money if they had taken a pass on Josh Hamilton and just re-signed Hunter, 38. With the exception of home runs, Hunter (.312 average, 13 home runs, 70 runs, 60 RBIs) has outperformed Hamilton (.220, 16 HRs, 55 runs, 51 RBIs), and he’s on pace to hit over .300 for the second straight season after not doing that in his first 15 years.

Raul Ibanez

OF | Seattle

The 41-year-old Ibanez is proving you can go home again … and we’re not talking about an old-age home. Returning to Seattle, where he had many of his most productive years, Ibanez has rediscovered his power stroke in one of baseball’s best pitcher’s parks, launching 24 home runs in 342 at-bats. The 58 RBIs for Ibanez, who’s making $2.75 million in 2013, are seven more than Hamilton, who’s pulling down $17 million.