Five MLB players who may need a change of scenery

Sometimes, for whatever reason, a player does not work out on a particular team or in a particular city. Media pressure, a bad fit culturally, or the pressure of living up to high expectations can cause an otherwise talented player to struggle. However, in the right environment, those players can find success. Let's take a look at five players who may need a change of scenery.

Five players who need a change of scenery to find success

Mark Vientos and Brett Baty

Vientos and Baty had been highly regarded prospects for the New York Mets, with Baty being a consensus top-100 prospect in 2022 and 2023. Although both players had years where they appeared ready to live up to their potential, with Vientos and Baty posting identical 3.1 bWAR seasons in 2024 and 2025 respectively. However, both players are without a true defensive home and have struggled this season. It may be time for Vientos and Baty to land elsewhere.

Luis Severino

Severino may have regretted his decision to sign with the Athletics in free agency. He has struggled at Sutter Health Park, posting a 5.81 ERA and a 1.490 WHiP in his 100.2 innings in the A's temporary home. Severino has been quiet about his criticisms of the A's current ballpark this year, but may need to pitch elsewhere to return to the form he showed in 2024.

Coby Mayo

A consensus top-100 prospect heading into the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Mayo was expected to be a force in the middle of the Baltimore Orioles lineup. Instead, he has struggled to find his footing in the majors, posting a .194/.277/.344 batting line with 14 homers and 15 doubles in his 426 major league plate appearances. While it is fair to wonder if Mayo's strikeouts and questionable hit tool will allow him to find major league success, he could have a couple of Chris Davis or Joey Gallo seasons in his bat. They just might not happen for the Orioles.

Roki Sasaki

The top international prospect heading into 2025, Sasaki was regarded as a potential top-of-the-rotation starter despite some red flags. He has struggled to find his footing as a starter stateside, posting a 5.37 ERA and a 1.614 WHiP over 57 innings covering 13 starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out 46 batters with 25 walks and 13 homers allowed. Sasaki did find success as a reliever in the postseason, so a move to the bullpen could be in his future if he continues to struggle in the rotation. However, if he continues as a starting pitcher, he may need to leave the Dodgers to find success.