Jimmy Rollins chatted recently with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports about his impending free agency. The 32-year-old shortstop seems at ease entering the first contract year of his career:
"If I do what I’m supposed to do and I’m healthy, I’ll get signed somewhere, if not here. I’m not worried about that part. Just having a healthy season and feeling good, that’s the only thing I’m concerned with."
The Phillies are the only team Rollins has ever known, but it's too early to determine the extent of the gap between his asking price and the commitment the Phillies are willing and able to make. As Rosenthal points out, the Phillies don't have a replacement ready at the top levels of the minors.
Despite Rollins' slipping on-base percentage, his 10.2% walk rate last year was a career-best. He still has good pop for a shortstop, and his defense remains well-regarded. If Rollins stays healthy and his batting average bounces back, he could be in line for a four or five-year deal worth upwards of $15MM a year. The 2012 free agent market potentially features at least four other starting shortstops: Jose Reyes, Rafael Furcal, Alex Gonzalez, and J.J. Hardy. That crop is better than usual, but it's still very difficult to find a quality shortstop.
there’s going to have to be a pretty desperate team for Rollins to get five, 4 is risky enough for a SS going into his age 33 season.
Jeter got 4 :P
Yeah, but Jeter has at least five more good years worth of intangibles.
True, ITS ALL ABOUT THE INTANGIBLES!
Like Cologne Ad’s in avon magazines, gillette commericals and the OF
You forgot that Jeter has The Edge. The Ford Edge, that is.
He’s going to have to bounce back big time if he expects to land anything close to 5 years and $75 million.
Well, it’s a big if.
True. People would have said the same thing about Adrian Beltre before last season. Too bad for Rollins the Rangers already have a SS. They like to throw around massive contracts on infielders.
I’ll be surprised if he gets anything more than a 2yr offer with an option year reagardless with how much he improves this year.
Hes gonna spend some time on the DL this year at some point.
Phils will offer a 3 year deal similar to rauls with an option for a fourth IMO.
Im surprised Rosenthal’s article did not turn into a “Seattle trade us King Felix now for a package not nearly half his worth”…
Thats really all he writes about, isnt it?
Being strong up the middle is so important in terms of finding team success.
That being said, the SS market is so weak, there’s just not enough good short stops to go around. Even he has a decent year I can easily see someone overpaying for him with a 5/70 or something.
“Wait. So I’m not THAT overpaid in retrospect?”
-DJ
No, you are.
Phillies have Freddy Galvis at AA Reading, who is a slick fielder but his offensive numbers in four minor-league seasons are NOT good: .233/.281/.294. But I’d rather they give him a shot, let Jimmy walk and then sink money into a power-hitting RH rightfielder. No sense in overpaying Jimmy for 4+ years just because there’s a scarcity of studs at SS.
Phillies will sign another ex-Met, Jose Reyes, 5yr/75MM.
Why so Reyes can be injured with them as well?
Fine with me.
Just spit balling here, what would you Yankee Fans think about a 3 year deal w/ a team option for a 4th for Rollins and Move Jeter to RF? Swish has a team option which we could pickup and trade him for a Veteran Pitcher.
with the scarcity of good starting pitchers available what kind of return would you anticipate for 1 year of swish?
2012 Lineup possibility:
1) Reyes (ss)
2) Victorino (cf)
3) Utley (2b)
4) Howard (1b)
5) Fransisco (lf) or Brown (rf)
6) Brown (rf) or Fransisco (lf)
7) ??? (3b)
8) Ruiz (c)
Unless they get Reyes for cheap I do not see where they are going to get the money for Reyes. Yes Ibanez and Rollins and possibly Lidge(doesnt he have an option?) are coming off the books at the end of the season. But with all the money they have tied up with the rotation(Oswalt has an option doesnt he?) I dont think theyd have a whole bunch of money free. Even for next season