Sometimes it is necessary for a player to find a new team because a fresh start may be just what he needs after a rough season.  A change of scenery and a new ball club can do a guy good and bring him back to his former self, particularly when that payer still has some left in the tank.  

In an effort to return to one’s former glory sometimes change is needed. Major League Baseball is full of turnover every season, so here is the list of players who decided to test the waters of free agency in order to get their fresh start. 

1. Ian Desmond, Texas Rangers 

Desmond had a horrible season last year, both on offense and defense.  Desmond had his lowest batting average ever, and his lowest homerun total since 2011.  Desmond also set a career high in strikeouts as he struggled to put the ball in play on a consistent basis. After seven years with the Nationals, Desmond is ready to begin a new chapter in his career with the Rangers. 

This new start for Desmond should be a good one.  Texas has a great hitter’s ballpark, and a group of good hitters around him, that should take a lot of the pressure off Desmond and allow him to relax at the plate.  With the move to the outfield taking pressure off Desmond and a group of good players around him, Desmond should bounce back nicely this season and make an impact right away for the Rangers.

2. Jeff Samardzija, San Francisco Giants

Last year was extremely rough for Samardzija.  He had an ERA just under 5.00 on the season, his 1.294 WHIP was the second highest of his career while being a starter, and he had his lowest strikeout total as a starter with only 163 strikeouts.  After his failed season in Chicago, Samardzija moves back the Nationals League to pitch for the Giants.  While I don’t think Samardzija will be as good as he was in 2014, he also is not as bad as he was in 2015. 

With a solid defense behind him, a massive outfield, and a catcher in Buster Posey who has already caught two no hitters, one perfect game, and played first base during another no hitter.  With such a great catcher behind him, and the comfort of being back in the Nationals League, and playing for a team that won’t rely solely on him to be their go to starter, Samardzija should bounce back nicely this season.

3. Mat Latos, Chicago White Sox

Last season was one to forget for this starting pitcher.  Latos went from a great number two pitcher behind Johnny Cueto to barely being able to find a job in a matter of one season.  That’s how ugly things got for him last year.  Latos pitched for the Angels, Marlins, and the Dodgers last year, and he had his best stats with the Marlins with a 4.48 ERA.  In fact, things got so ugly that Latos barely even pitched for the Angels.  A lot of last season can be chalked up to bad luck though.  A lot of his peripherals fell right in line with his career numbers, and his FIP of 3.72 also suggests a lot of last season’s struggles were not a result of a decrease in skill from Latos.  Latos is only 28 years old this season so he is just entering his prime, and if the White Sox expect to make a push in their division they are going to need Latos to fill the role of a number two starter behind Chris Sale.

4. Mike Minor, Kansas City Royals

After looking like he had the potential to be a really good pitcher after the 2014 season, Minor took a big step back in 2015.  Last season Minor posted a 4.77 ERA, and only threw 145 innings, due to injuries.  If Minor can stay healthy this season he has a good enough sinker to be a very effective starter, especially now that he plays for the Royals, and their great defense. 

For a groundball pitcher Minor is plenty capable of getting strikeouts as well, which is a rare feat for that type of pitcher.  Pitching for such a good young team should help Minor out, especially because they do not need him to be their go to guy, the Royals have had plenty of success without having a particularly strong rotation.