These MLB veteran stars are struggling. Is it just a slump or are they in their decline period?

Every year when we get to Memorial Day, MLB teams evaluate where they stand and come away with a pretty good idea of what they need to do between that point and the trade deadline, which this year is Aug. 3. One of the more difficult aspects of the evaluation is when veteran players are performing well below their accustomed level. That’s when teams have to figure out if the underperformance is just an early-season slump or due to injury, mechanical issues or the harsh reality that the player is another year older and perhaps their decline in performance is here to stay.Advertisement