Just like any job, professional athletes are not immune to falling into ruts they just can’t seem to escape. It could range from a number of different factors, but sometimes all they really need is a clean slate playing for a new team in a new city. That’s why for this list we will be going over 10 MLB Players Who Need A Fresh Start ASAP!
Byron Buxton
When on the field Buxton is one of the most dynamic players you can watch. His elite speed makes him a wizard in the outfield and will give you more than enough offensive production. The only thing is though, that he rarely sees the field due to injuries. The last time he played in over 100 games was back in 2017 when he notched 140.
Maybe it’s the air in Minnesota but patience must be wearing thin between the organization and Buxton and a new team could be just what he needs.
Javier Baez
Baez will go down as one of the worst free-agent signings in the history of Major League Baseball. When the Tigers signed him to his six-year $240 million contract in 2021 they thought he’d be a centerpiece for a team looking to rebuild and get back to winning. Since then though he has been absolutely horrible.
In his two years in Detroit so far he has an OPS of .633 with just 245 hits and 26 home runs. If he weren’t such a high-paid player he would have a spot in the starting lineup. It’s clear every Tigers fan wants him gone and it would probably be for the best if he found his way somewhere else.
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Mike Trout
At this point, Trout is wasting his time playing for the Angels. It’s an organization that has rarely surrounded him with amazing talents and even when they do they’re still somehow bad. Trout as a three-time MVP has just 15 career postseason at-bats. It’s absolutely ridiculous and he needs to find his way to a new team.
Sandy Alcantara
Alcantara was the definition of dominance in 2022. His 2.28 ERA, 207 strikeouts, .980 and league-leading 6 complete games led to him winning the American League Cy Young award. Just 26 years old at the time many believed that this was just the beginning and he would be back even better in 2023.
That wasn’t the case, however, as his ERA ballooned to 4.14 in 184.2 innings. Sandy certainly didn’t lose his skill set and considering the Marlins aren’t exactly World Series contenders he could flourish with a better organization.
Spencer Torkelson
Yet another Detroit Tiger makes the list and it’s for good reason. Going into 2021, MLB.com listed Torkelson as the third-best prospect in the entire league. That was even above players such as Bobby Witt Jr., CJ Abrams and Julio Rodriguez. So far he hasn’t lived up to their hype but still could if he gets put into a new situation.
David Bednar
Bednar is one of the best closers in the entire league. In 2023 he had the most saves with 39 sitting at an even 2.00 ERA. It was also his second season making an All-Star appearance. As the Pirates finished fourth in the National League Central last year little hope remains that they turn into a playoff contender this year.
In turn, Bednar makes this list for the same reason Trout did though obviously they are not on the same level. If Bednar makes his way to a contender he’d be put into a much better position to showcase his talents on a bigger stage.
Alek Manoah
There may be no harder fall from grace than what Alek Manoah has experienced recently. In 2022 he recorded 196.2 innings with a 2.24 ERA, 144 hits allowed and 180 strikeouts. That line earned him his first All-Star appearance and he finished third in Cy Young voting.
2023 could not have been more opposite. He was able to pitch just 87.1 innings when his ERA ballooned to 5.87 and was sent all the way down to the Blue Jays rookie-level Florida Complex League team.
Anthony Rendon
There may be no hope for Rendon any longer as he has openly admitted to baseball not being one of his top priorities in life. Of course that is an okay thing to say but not something fans like hearing from someone who signed a seven-year $245 million contract.
Combine that with his intense string of injuries and Angels fans have had enough of him. It would certainly have to be on a different contract but Rendon needs to find somewhere else to play and do it fast.
Jake Cronenworth
Cronenworth has been put in a pretty odd situation with his time on the Padres. When San Diego acquired him he was primarily a second baseman and he even finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 2020 at the spot. In 2023, the Padres moved him to first base because they had too many middle infielders.
The move doesn’t seem to be treating him as well as his previous spot. If he wants to maximize his potential as a baseball player, finding a new team that lets you go back to second base would be ideal.
Rafael Devers
Devers makes this list not because he is a bad player or even slumping but because his talents could be used so much better on a competitive team. The Red Sox have not shown much interest in putting together a playoff roster this past offseason and are effectively wasting a year of Devers while he is in his prime.
