Who has the record for playing for the most teams in the MLB?

There are players such as Cal Ripken Jr. (Baltimore), Tony Gwynn (San Diego), Chipper Jones (Atlanta), and Derek Jeter (New York) who have spent the entirety of their careers with one team, but there are also those who have played all over the MLB. With that, we’re taking a look at who these men are and where they’ve been.

The most traveled MLB players

As mentioned above, it’s hard to find a one-club player these days, but that’s not to say that these talents for hire aren’t genuine stars. Indeed, one has to think about the mentality of a player who never settles into a home in a city, one who is always on the move. Yet, still manages to produce the goods. If we look at Rich Hill for example, we have a player who has been in the league since 2005 and having been traded to the San Diego Padres will now be playing for his 13th team. Surprisingly, that’s not the record but he is one of only three men to hit that mark. So, who are the players that have played for the most clubs in MLB? Take a look below to find out.

Edwin Jackson, RHP, 2003-2019: 14

With over 17 years in the Majors, Edwin Jackson has turned out for the likes of the Dodgers, Devil Rays, Tigers, D-backs, White Sox, Cardinals, Nationals, Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Padres, Orioles, A’s and Blue Jays. When he announced his retirement in September 2022, he ended his career as the first and only player in the big leagues to play for 14 teams.

Octavio Dotel, RHP, 1999-2013: 13

Octavio Dotel brought the curtain down on his 15-year Major League career with the Tigers in 2013. Of course, when he started back in 1993 it was with the Mets as an amateur free agent. He would go on to debut for New York six years later but that would be just the start of a long journey through the Majors. The Dominican-born pitcher would go on to play for the Astros (five years), A’s (two years), Tigers (two years), White Sox (two years), and the Royals, Mets, Rockies, Pirates, Braves, Cardinals, Dodgers, Yankees and Blue Jays for one year each. Dotel’s five-year reign as the all-time leader in games played for most teams finally came to an end when the above-mentioned Jackson started for Toronto.

Rich Hill, LHP, 2005-23, 13

It’s got to be said that Hill struggled to find consistent success early in his career with the Cubs, Orioles, Red Sox, Indians, Angels, and Yankees. We should also mention stints with the Cardinals and Nationals, but it’s worth noting that he only pitched for both teams in the Minors. At any rate, Hill turned the tide by the time he was 35 years old, becoming a genuine star with the Boston Red Sox in 2015. From there he would go on to taste success with the A’s, Dodgers, Twins, Rays, Mets, Red Sox, and Pirates. In 2023 he joined his 12th team when he signed for the Pirates, however, when the trade deadline rolled around he was off to a new team once again: The San Diego Padres. To put things in perspective, the Padres are the seventh team that he’s taken the mound for since turning 39.

Mike Morgan, RHP, 1978-2002, 12

When he was drafted by the A’s in the first round of the 1978 Draft, the team knew they had a talent on their hands with Mike Morgan. Indeed, that was evidenced by the fact that he skipped the Minors and made his debut for the team less than a week later. Yet, his time in Oakland didn’t last long as he would leave just two seasons later and embark on a journey that would see him play for 12 teams across a 22-year career. By the time it came to an end, he had played for the Cubs, Dodgers, Mariners, Cardinals, Reds, Twins, Rangers, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, and Diamondbacks with whom he called it quits in 2002. Where his numbers were concerned, he registered a career ERA of 4.23 with 141 wins across 2,772 1/3 innings pitched.