The joys of signing a brand-spanking new contract can quickly subside due to a luke-warm start to the season.
A lucrative contract is only worthwhile when the on-the-field production is present, and for some newly signed players, the transition to a new team has come with a price.
Whatever the reason may be—a new park, a new hitting coach, the pressure to perform or simply an early season slump—the thought of winning over hundreds of thousands of loyal fans can weigh heavily on a player’s psyche.
It’s easy to play well as a hometown favorite. Sometimes it’s reaching that recognition which proves challenging.
Here are 10 players with new teams fighting for acceptance.