Advertisement

Minor league pitcher joins fourth different organization in two weeks

While we wait for the latest news on baseball’s most notable free agents and trade targets, we often lose track of those fringe players who occupy the final spots on the roster. We’re talking about the players who bounce back and forth between the major and minor leaguers several times a year, and whose future can change week-to-week, day-to-day and even hour-to-hour.

Players exactly like David Rollins.

The 26-year-old left-hander is past the point of being a prospect, but he’s talented enough to have pitched 34 1/3 innings for the Seattle Mariners over the last two seasons. He’s respected, but not coveted, which explains how he’s represented four different teams in a span of 14 days.

While most of us were enjoying Thanksgiving dinner last week, Rollins was probably checking his phone to make sure he wasn’t changing teams again. Unfortunately, that might continue on through the entire offseason as the constant roster shuffling continues.

It all started on Nov. 18, when Rollins was claimed by the Chicago Cubs after being placed on waivers by Seattle. Four days later, he was waived by the Cubs and claimed by the Texas Rangers. Then on Friday, he was claimed by the Philadelphia Phillies after the Rangers needed to open a roster spot.

You have to feel for anyone put in that position.

Here’s another interesting tidbit on Rollins. He was actually drafted four different times, but didn’t sign until after completing his senior season at San Jacinto College in Houston. He was first selected in the 19th round by the Dodgers in 2008. In 2009 and 2010, the Mariners selected him in the 23rd round and 46th rounds respectively. Then in 2011, he was selected by the Blue Jays in 24th round.

David Rollins, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, is now with the Philadelphia Phillies. (Getty Images)
David Rollins, formerly of the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Texas Rangers, is now with the Philadelphia Phillies. (Getty Images)

While the majority of players know where they stand with their teams, the fringe players do not. A guy like Rollins is viewed as good depth, but is also seen as expendable during this time period because there’s no opportunity for him to move up the depth chart. The last man in is the first man out, you might say.

Of course, there are a couple reasons the waiver wire is more active this time of year. With the non-tender deadline passing on Friday and the winter meeting now just hours away, teams have been facing difficult decisions in terms of roster structure. Naturally, financial considerations are a big part of those decisions. But so too is simply freeing up spots on the 25- and 40-man rosters as they prepare for the flurry of activity that’s sure to come in the days and weeks ahead.

It’s an unfortunate part of the job, but it’s also one players understand and accept. The only thing they’re looking for is that one opportunity to get their foot firmly in the door. Here’s hoping David Rollins’ winding road this month leads him to that opportunity.

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

– – – – – – –

Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!