The latest on free agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins…
- Philadelphia's reported interest in Ramirez may be a way of showing Rollins that they have a backup plan, with the goal of pushing him to accept a shorter deal according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Some of Knobler's sources believe Amaro could be pushed to compromise at four years. Knobler says Philly's "overwhelming desire" is to have Rollins back.
- The Phillies and Lozano hope to meet again tonight, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. CBS Sports' Danny Knobler tweets that most people still believe Rollins will return to Philadelphia, even though their earlier meeting wasn't a huge success.
- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke didn't deny his team's interest in Rollins today, writes David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News. The skipper was "highly complimentary" when discussing Rollins with reporters.
- Amaro's recent meeting with Rollins' agent Dan Lozano "did not go all that well," hears Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Rollins is not backing off his desire for a five-year deal, which led the Phillies to inquire about Aramis Ramirez. Yahoo's Steve Henson also hears Lozano and the Phillies are not on the same page about Rollins.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has already met with Lozano at the Winter Meetings, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney says it appears now that the Phillies' greatest competition for the shortstop could be the Brewers and Cardinals, but his colleague Jerry Crasnick tweets that the Cardinals are saying they have no plans to pursue Rollins — even if they fail to re-sign Albert Pujols.
Only way I see him leaving is if he gets that 5 year contract. Or maybe a 4, I don’t see the Phillies matching anything above 3 years.
I could see the Brewers giving him the years. Would St. Louis?
I honestly don’t even see the Cardinals getting involved in the Rollins bidding.
Even if they miss out on Pujols? I thought there were some reports he was their “plan B.”
This is the first I have heard the Cardinals are interested in Rollins. I think Pujols is the only guy they’re really willing to go long-term with on the market. Free Agency isn’t really the Cardinals thing and I don’t expect that to change if they miss out on Albert.
To me it makes a lot more sense to sign Gonzalez or Furcal and look for a small offensive upgrade elsewhere. Rollins to the Cards is very unlikely.
You might have missed one of the other articles (not trying to be snarky at all, please don’t take it that way).
I think it was one of the Cardinals beat reporters who tweeted or wrote an article saying that the Cardinals had interest in Rollins and possibly viewed him as an alternative if they missed out on Pujols.
I’d agree with your assessment though, not sure it makes sense for them to commit 4-5 years for anyone other than Albert.
I could have missed something, I know it’s been speculated that the Cards might be interested, but nothing(that I’ve seen) saying they actually were. People also speculated the Cards could be interested in Fielder if Pujols walks, and I can garauntee they won’t pursue Fielder.
Just knowing how the Cardinals work, it’s Albert or nothing. They will tinker the roster a little but nothing major if Albert walks.
“Free Agency isn’t really the Cardinals thing.”
Matt Holliday, 2009/10 FA, 7 years, $110 million.
But he played for the Cardinals before he hit free agency. They’re also going after Albert this year, who is a free agent.
Name me the last player to sign a multi-year deal with the Cardinals off the FA market who did not play with the Cardinals the season before.
I thought Kyle Lohse, but nope. It has been awhile.
Last one I can remember is Jason Isringhausen in 2002. Gotta be someone more recent than that, but I can’t think of any.
Most recent two that I found on ESPN’s free agent tracker:
Dennys Reyes, 2 year deal in 2008.
Adam Kennedy, 3 year deal in 2006.
When the Cards go for more than one year on a player who hasn’t played here before, it has come up pretty short. If Pujols walks (and I still think he comes back to STL, but the Marlins are starting to scare me with the amount of flash they’re trying to show), we’ll fill our holes from inside the system or maybe a mid-level trade or two. I would be shocked if we signed Rollins given his potential contract demands and his recent injury history.
I didn’t know Rollins could play first.
Cardinals are not going to even consider Rollins.. Thats Onley being Olney.
R.Amaro – Hey Jimmy have a seat we need to talk.
J.Rollins – Sure boss what’s up?
R.Amaro – We understand you’re looking for a 5 year deal right?
J.Rollins – Ya at this point in my career i think 5 might be stretching it but…
R.Amaro – Let me stop you right there Jimmy , we know how this game is played and this is what were going to do, your going to accept this 6 year deal , there’s no need to play games anymore Jimmy.
J.Rollins -….Uhhh alright…but i only wanted a…
R.Amaro – Shhhhhh , it’s ok Jimmy…. It’s O.K.
Gotta love Amaro calling Jimmy the name “Going”.
I would say bye- bye to rollins. He always is hurt and will decline as he has been. After 33yrs old players start to decline anyway.
FYI: Rollins has played fewer than 137 games exactly ONCE in a 12-year career (88 GP in 2010). Games played by year since the team became a perennial playoff team (via fangraphs):
2007: 162
2008: 137
2009: 155
2010: 88
2011: 142
That’s an average of 137 GP per year. I wouldn’t call that “always hurt.”
The last 2 are all that matters. 88 games in 2010 is scary. Wherever he plays you can count on him missing at least 30 games.
“The last 2 are all that matters.”
This is a ridiculous statement.
Oh really? I guess you don’t see him play much. He’s lost a step in the field, his average is down and he doesn’t run much. He’s not the player he once was. I amend my statement. He’ll miss at least 30 and probably 50 games.
his performance being down is a completely different argument
I wouldn’t expect him to play more than 130-135 games a year at this stage of his career. If Jimmy agrees he’s not an iron man any more, then the deal probably gets more doable. Say, 4 years, $48 million.
His glove plays just about every game he is on the field, it’s his bat that is lost somewhere the last few years and why nobody should/probably will give him a 3-4 year deal.
Hater…..
He wanna somma dat Phillie greenback.
Insightful, in-depth analysis.
I think the fact the Cardinals are entertaining SS’s, they have probably “discussed” just about everybody. I believe Rollins will have to settle for 3 years with incentives.
Enjoy Milwaukee Jimmy.
3 years, vesting 4th. Get it done Ruben.
No need to offer him four. No other team will offer him four years.