Potential MLB players to revive careers with new teams.

Fans always appreciate a good comeback story, and in the world of baseball, they seem to happen quite frequently. Every season, there are players who struggle due to various reasons like injuries or underperformance, only to find redemption after joining a new team. These are the players that capture our hearts, showing us that even when things look bleak, a turnaround is always possible. In the 2025 season, there were 15 players who fit the criteria of a "reclamation project." These were players aged 27 or older, who had previously shown their talent with at least a 2-WAR season or sustained success over three years before facing a decline. They had produced less than 2 WAR in the season prior to their resurgence, changed teams, and either achieved 2+ WAR or showed a significant improvement in performance. Among the notable players in this list were Jesus Luzardo, Matthew Boyd, Merrill Kelly, Harrison Bader, Ramon Laureano, Aroldis Chapman, Adrian Houser, Carson Kelly, Gleyber Torres, Lucas Giolito, Clay Holmes, Mike Yastrzemski, Jhoan Duran, David Bednar, and Brad Keller. Each of these players had a unique journey to redemption, but what tied them together was their return to form and the resurgence of their former glory. As we look ahead to the 2026 season, we can already identify potential candidates based on the criteria that defined the previous year's success stories. Let's explore the top six likely candidates for the 2026 reclamation list, based on FanGraphs' projected WAR, and their counterparts from the 2025 season who successfully turned their careers around. Ha-Seong Kim, a Shortstop, mirrors the reclamation journey of Ramon Laureano in 2025. Kim, who was a standout player with the San Diego Padres in 2022 and 2023, faced setbacks due to injuries and team changes. Similarly, Michael King, a Right-Handed Pitcher, aims to replicate Merrill Kelly's resurgence in the coming season after being hampered by injuries in 2025. Luis Arraez, an Infielder, finds similarities with Gleyber Torres in the quest to bounce back and showcase his true potential. Another pitcher, Zac Gallen, declined an offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks to explore free agency, seeking to reclaim his form in 2026. Likewise, Cedric Mullins and Willi Castro are outfielders looking to revitalize their careers, drawing inspiration from successful reclamation stories of the past season. The upcoming season holds the promise of more inspiring comeback narratives, with players eager to prove that setbacks are just temporary roadblocks on the path to redemption.