Next Numbers Retired

No Yankee will ever wear a single-digit number again.  Derek Jeter had the last one.  His number retirement will probably be the Yankees' last for a while (at least until they figure out they should retire 21), and, after the Red Sox retire No. 34 for David Ortiz later this year, we're not gonna have a significant one for a while.  Sure, the Mariners will retire 51 for Ichiro/Randy Johnson once Ichiro retires, but Ichiro's still playing for the Marlins right now.

We knew for the last, oh, I'd say 10 years of his career that Jeter's number was going to be retired.  Just like we know a handful of active players will be the last to wear their number for their current teams.  Things could change, but I think it's safe to say that there are teams already planning number retirement ceremonies for the faces of their franchise.

Dustin Pedroia: There are two no-brainers on this list, and he's one of them.  Pedroia's been as much a part of what the Red Sox have done over the past 15 years as anyone.  It probably took them about 11 seconds to decide to retire Ortiz's number.  I'd imagine it'll take them just as long to make a similar decision about Dustin Pedroia.

Yadier Molina: Yadi Molina is the other guy who the only question about a number retirement is "When?"  In fact, I probably should've put him first, because there's absolutely no doubt about Yadi.  He's probably going to get a statue outside Busch Stadium, too.  He's meant that much to the Cardinals organization.

Buster Posey/Madison Bumgarner: Posey and Bumgarner go together because it's difficult to say one deserves it over the other.  They've both been the faces of the Giants during their run of even-year championships.  It's hard to envision San Francisco retiring one number and not the other.  Especially since they've both become iconic figures in the Bay Area.

Miguel Cabrera: I feel pretty good about this one, too (although, the Tigers haven't retired Alan Trammell's number yet).  He was the best player in baseball for a while and has been the face of that team for quite some time.  Miggy's headed to Cooperstown, and he'll likely be wearing a Tigers hat when he gets there.

Clayton Kershaw: Like Miggy, Kershaw is yet to lead his team to the Promised Land (at least not yet).  But he's already entered into that pantheon on great Dodgers starting pitchers.  I'm not sure if he needs it, but a World Series title will definitely put him over the top.

Felix Hernandez: Seattle's got plenty of other numbers to retire first.  They've still got Jay Buhner, Ichiro/Randy Johnson after Edgar Martinez's 11 is retired this year.  it would be cool if the two 51s got their (shared) number retired together.  After that, 34 shouldn't be too far behind.  It's not his fault Seattle has been God awful his entire career.

David Wright: The Mets also have some numbers that they need to worry about retiring before David Wright's No. 5 (Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez).  But Wright shouldn't be that far behind.  Let's take the fact that his career is probably over out of the equation for a second.  He's meant more to the Mets than anybody over the last 15 years.  At the same level as Tom Seaver or Mike Piazza?  No.  But enough to warrant number retirement.

Joe Mauer: Another no-brainer in my opinion.  It's almost too easy.  Mauer's from Minnesota, and he's been on the Twins for so long I don't even remember him not being there.  He's beloved in the Twin Cities.  Can you envision anyone else wearing No. 7 for the Twins after he retires?  I can't either.

Evan Longoria: Tampa Bay has two retired numbers...for Wade Boggs and Don Zimmer.  But Evan Longoria is, without question, the best player in Rays history.  And he's a career Ray, too.  His arrival corresponded with the team becoming relevant, and he's shown incredible loyalty by staying there as the Rays continue to lose free agents.  His number won't be the first they retire, but it'll be the most meaningful.

Other names who appear headed to number retirement include Eric Hosmer, Mike Trout (and, by extension, Vladimir Guerrero) and Giancarlo Stanton, while Kris Bryant/Anthony Rizzo and Bryce Harper could certainly join those ranks if they stay with their current teams long enough.  Likewise, there are some active players who appear destined to have a day with their former clubs (Ichiro, Albert Pujols).  I think these 10 are a safe bet to be honored, though.