Sports Stars Who Need to Get the Hell Out of Dodge
We might think that being a professional athlete is great, but that's not always the case—especially when there's a bit of dysfunction going on with the team a guy is playing for.
While fans might gripe when players complain about their team's direction—even when a player gets paid millions of dollars—no one enjoys when he or she feels either unwanted or heads into a season with little chance of winning.
For that reason, here are a few sports stars who might just want to get the hell out of the situation they're currently in, cutting ties and moving on to somewhere else.
Joe Mauer
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Never one to have consistent power, Minnesota Twins designated hitter/first baseman Joe Mauer reached a new low in 2014 with just four homers and 55 runs batted in, having a batting average that was .042 off of his career average of .319.
And while Mauer might have a bounce-back season in 2015, his salary of $23 million this year makes him almost unmovable for a Minnesota team that doesn't appear to be too competitive.
Playing for his hometown squad, Mauer would almost never demand a trade. But, given his contract and his team's rebuilding effort, he might want to inquire.
Vincent Jackson
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Over the past two seasons, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have compiled an overall record of 6-26, with their 2014 campaign of 2-14 leading them to the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft.
And what position are they looking to add to their roster? A quarterback—otherwise known as the most important position in the sport.
Seeing as how the team hasn't shown much over the past couple of years, it's incredible that wide receiver Vincent Jackson hasn't yet run out of patience, as he has posted three straight 1,000-plus-yard seasons with a variety of mediocre passers.
Sure, V-Jax is getting paid and putting up stats, but he's in a situation where he won't be winning anything major anytime soon.
Adrian Beltre
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Following a season in which the Texas Rangers went just 67-95, finishing dead last in the AL West and seeing their manager resign after the year, 2015 was supposed to bring some hope to baseball fans in the Dallas area.
That is, before the ace of the Rangers' pitching staff, Yu Darvish, went down to a season-ending arm injury, all but ending any chance of the team making a run this season.
And that's exactly why the team's All-Star third baseman, Adrian Beltre, should really try to get the hell out while he can.
A big bopper who belted 19 homers and drove in 77 in 2014, it wouldn't be surprising if the almost-36-year-old Beltre doesn't want to be part of a team in such flux, instead hoping to get an organization that might actually compete for a title—and not just compete to finish the season without the worst record in baseball.
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Kevin Durant
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I know, you probably think I'm crazy for even suggesting that reigning NBA MVP Kevin Durant should get out of Oklahoma City, right?
Well, after the recent run that the team—more specifically, All-Star teammate Russell Westbrook—has been on, one can't help but think the thought of splitting town has crossed his mind when he's eligible to do so in 2016.
Much like the Cleveland Cavaliers did in the years leading up to LeBron James' free agency in 2010, the Oklahoma City Thunder have to wonder what life without Durant might look like.
It's clear that the Thunder can survive without KD thus far, so would he head elsewhere if there's a place he's more comfortable—like home in Washington, D.C., or on a team that he could win multiple titles with?
Only time will tell.
Matt Forte
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With the departure of head coach Marc Trestman after the 2014 season and the trade of former All-Pro wideout Brandon Marshall early in the offseason, the Chicago Bears have proved to be a team in transition.
And while there are tons of questions surrounding the status of quarterback Jay Cutler and where he fits into the team's plans, I have to wonder what's going through the mind of running back Matt Forte, who continues to perform at a high level year after year.
A forgotten stud who is about as all-purpose as they come, Forte should see the writing on the wall and ask out of the Windy City to salvage the last couple of good years he has left for a legit shot at winning a Super Bowl—because it's not happening with Da Bears, who could still get something of value for the rusher.
Philip Rivers
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Sure, the San Diego Chargers might be saying that they aren't interested in trading current quarterback Philip Rivers, as general manager Tom Telesco told Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com (h/t ProFootballTalk), but that doesn't mean that the some speculation isn't still floating around.
And, as a competitor and one of the best passers in the league, those can't make Rivers too happy.
Oh, and when you add in the situation about where the Chargers may be playing in the very near future—with a possible move to Los Angeles in the works, as discussed by ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio—Rivers might be thinking about relocating out of Southern California entirely, hoping to trade uniforms for a team where he is wanted a little bit more.
Kevin Love
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As a Cleveland Cavs fan, I was one of the millions who cheered when the team traded away 2014 No. 1 overall pick and potential superstar Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves for three-time All-Star Kevin Love.
Pairing the dynamic Love with LeBron James and Kyrie Irving was supposed to take the league by storm, pitting a new Big Three together that were younger and more versatile than others the league had seen.
Unfortunately, nearing the completion of his first season in Cleveland, K-Love is still looking to find his role with his new mates, wishing to Northeast Ohio Media Group's Chris Haynes he could get more touches in the post and apparently getting called out by James on Twitter for not seeming to buy in with the whole team concept, as detailed by SB Nation.
According to the Northeast Ohio Media Group (h/t Fox Sports), Love continues to say he has no intentions to leave Northeast Ohio after the season—no matter if a title is attached to that or not—but clearly this has been a struggle for the power forward to deal with.
Cole Hamels
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Unlike a few other athletes on this list who have just one reason why they might want to bolt town, Philadelphia Phillies lefty pitcher Cole Hamels has a few that might make him wish he was wearing a different uniform in 2015.
The most obvious one is that that Phillies don't plan on being too good this year, wasting any solid starts by Hamels by failing to give him much run support—as was the case in 2014, when the southpaw went just 9-9 but had an ERA of 2.46.
Another reason, though? Well, there are many experts who are shocked to even see Hamels still in a Phillies uniform today, wondering how, through the entire offseason, the team didn't unload him and his hefty contract.
But, that's the state of the Phillies right now, so only time will tell what happens with the former NLCS and World Series MVP.
Kobe Bryant
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Kobe Bryant might have said to Yahoo Sports (h/t Fox Sports) he bleeds purple and gold and that he will show the same loyalty to the only franchise he has ever known that it's shown him, but should he?
The organization committed to the future Hall of Famer with an absurd contract extension in 2013 for two years and $48.5 million, securing a deal with Bryant that applauded him for all that he has given to the team in his 19 years in the league.
Still, with the entire roster made up of role players and a competitive drive unmatched by anyone outside of Michael Jordan in the past 25 years, The Black Mamba might want to reconsider his stance and weigh his options in order to compete for an NBA title before he calls it quits.
Adrian Peterson
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When healthy and on the field, there isn't a more punishing runner in the NFL than Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
That doesn't mean he has to be donning purple and gold in order to be productive, though.
With reports coming out a few weeks ago that Peterson's agent, Ben Dogra, had to be physically separated from execs of the Vikes at the NFL combine, there should be no chance the star should return to Minny for next season—especially with Dogra admitting to USA Today (via the Pioneer Press, h/t Deadspin) the star wants out.
Hell, Peterson himself has reportedly thought about playing for other franchises in the past, as he told ESPN Radio (via Fox Sports, h/t Yahoo Sports), giving off the impression that he might just be looking toward a future without a Vikings helmet on his head—possibly getting his wish by joining the Dallas Cowboys, to whom he's been heavily linked, according to the Star-Telegram's Clarence Hill.
Joe Thornton
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Since entering the league back in 1991, the San Jose Sharks have proved to be one of the most consistent franchises in all of sports, making the NHL's postseason in 17 of their 22 years before this season.
Unfortunately, 2014-15 hasn't been kind to the Sharks, as they've tallied just 83 points and find themselves in serious need of a makeover during the offseason.
One of those moves worth exploring? Parting with former Hart Trophy winner Joe Thornton, who, at 35 years old, should be moved for younger players to help with a rebuild.
Even after Thornton talked to the Toronto Sun about retiring a Shark after a recent spat with the team (h/t CBS Sports), he should rid himself of playing in obscurity as the franchise tries to dig itself out of a hole.
Robert Griffin III
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Ah, yes, the curious case of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
A former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 2 overall pick and the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, RG3's last couple of years have seen him regress as both a passer and dynamic offensive threat due to injury and spats with his head coaches.
I mean, the guy got benched last season in favor of Colt McCoy, so that should tell you everything you need to know about why he should get the hell out of D.C. and try to resurrect his young career elsewhere.
Current head coach Jay Gruden recommitted to Griffin heading into next season when speaking with reporters, but, seeing how last year went with their relationship, who knows if that will last into the season?
A football team is only as good as its quarterback, so one thing's for sure: The leash is short with the signal-caller, and it shouldn't shock anyone if Griffin is gone by the end of the 2015 season—if not before.
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