I have been an advocate for years as to playing younger players. First you have to find out what you've got. Second these run of the mill guys who hang around and cost you money are not any better than your younger players. You have to throw them into the deep water in the pool to see if they can swim. Plus the money factor is a key to keeping your core players. All of the stop gap moves with players that are long over the hill is STUPID.
And Remember THERE IS NO CURE FOR STUPID.