Jimmy Rollins finds the prospect of free agency "exciting," and the shortstop told SI's Jon Heyman, "Five [years] would be great. Five would be the number." Rollins, however, guesses the number of years will be the sticking point in upcoming negotiations.
Rollins, 33 in November, is hitting .271/.340/.403 with 16 home runs in 624 plate appearances this year. His defense continues to be a positive. A pair of executives gave Heyman contract estimates ranging from three years and at least $12MM per year to four years and $14MM annually. I think five years is unrealistic even on the open market, but at least one team would commit to four. Rollins' only real competition will be Jose Reyes, who figures to get at least five years and $18MM per season.
As I showed yesterday, it appears that the Phillies can afford Rollins without raising their payroll.
Lol keep dreamin’ Jimbo
…Unless a team called the Washington Nationals is in the market for a shortstop….
No thanks, we’ll stay with Desmond.
First person to respond is a Mets fan? Talk about being in some peoples heads.
Looks like a Burrell/Rowand/Werth situation. Would like to keep him but not at a big overpay. You can critisize Philly all you want about Howard but they have wisely passed on some of these guys. Get ready for Freddy Galvis at SS.
Burrell’s money had nothing to do with it. He was signed for 16 million for 2 years. They signed Raul for double that and an extra year. They just felt it was time to move on from Pat.
Now, Rowand and Werth are different stories. They were willing to overpay for Werth, but not by 80 million. I believe they offered him $48 million for 3 years or something like that….which, in my opinion, is already an overpay.
On the other hand, I think Rowand will be back with the club next season to replace BenFran.
Burrell’s money actually had a lot to do with it. As a Phillie he made $14 million in 2008, the last year of his deal. So let’s not pretend that a 2 yr, $16 million insult offer was a viable option for them. It was a choice between bringing Pat back at a price tag that was roughly $14 million/yr or bringing in a better player for substantially less.
Dylan:
Pat Burrell turned down a $22M offer from the Phillies for two years, and that’s when Amaro courted Ibanez. Later, Pat signed a two-year $16M deal with the Rays.
Rowand will NOT be back with the Phillies. We already have Victorino and Pence manning center and right fields. Either Mayberry or Brown will man left field next year.
Rollins’ last 3 seasons have been well below his peak years and he’ll be 33 on opening day next year. I don’t see him getting more than 3 years with an option for a 4th and although he’s still clearly above average for the position, he’s not in the star category any more.
I’d put him more in the $10-12 million per year range.
Was nice knowing you Jimmy. The Phils will pony up money for Rollins and be happy to have him, but five years is a long investment for an oft-injured, aging shortstop. They could plug Freddy Galvis into the lineup and not lose a thing defensively.
Five years is too long for J-Roll.
Haaa in his dreams
As a Giants fan for some reason I see him and Coco Crisp coming to San Francisco to anchor the top of the order. I’d rather have Reyes, but the Giants have SS prospects in the lower minors…..and Sabean loves veteran SS’s….Rollins will get a 3 yr deal with an option at 12 million a year. The Phillies need $$ too resign Hamels/Madsen and to get another LF/SS and 3B (Polanco is toast).
yup id say coco and rollins will be giants too
I’m pretty sure the Phillies would give him a three year deal at or greater than 12 million. He could move to third in 2013 to make room for Galvis.
Let’s go mariners pick him up. He would be a great bat behind ichiro and would provide good leadership to our young up n comers
This makes sense for both parties. But that’s a lot of advanced age at the top of the lineup.
Wow, Phillies fans sure do have short memories……..
Our memories are as short as Giants dynasties.
Our memories are as short as Giants dynasties.
The only team that would offer a SS a contract until he is 38 already did last off season lol
Jimmy – if by “five” you mean “three,” than yes, it’s a deal. Anything beyond 3-36 would be a mistake.
Why should he ask for anything less than 5 years? It’s called negotiating. Whether or not he gets 5, he should be asking for the moon right now.
You start high and work your way to the middle. The middle, I think is 3-4 years… maybe with a club option.
If some team is desperate enough to give him 5 years, he can use that as leverage in negotiations with the Phillies, Giants, etc.
Sad that this has to be pointed out…
I swallowed my gum!
He is dreaming if he thinks he will get 5 years from any team!
I wonder if J-Roll would leave Philly if he gets five years somewhere else
If the Giants or another West Coast contender gave him 5 years, he’d probably leave. He’s said it’s all about the money, which it should be. He’s won his World Series and this is going to be his last contract.
Good for him. He is a good leader and wants five years (who wouldn’t). However, it’s probably more of a tactic to get teams to four years. I could see him easily landing a three year deal, but if he is asking for five, a team may bite on four years.
Phillies should offer no more than a three year deal with a vesting option for a fourth. I would think he may move to Third Base in a couple years for the Phils and let Galvis at short (maybe?).
I’m really torn on this because I love what Jimmy has done to this city and team, but I don’t want to have a team with 36 year old corner infielders with aces 35 and 36….very tough situation for Ruben in my opinion.
Here’s my idea of how it is going to go down
Ruben: Hey Jimmy, what will it take to get you stay here?
Jimmy: How about 60/5 years.
Ruben: How about 40/3 years. I don’t want to pay a 38 year old short stop 12 million dollars!
Jimmy: Well, my boy Jayson got 126 million, so I’m giving you a discount.
(Jimmy signs with the Giants for 60 million/5 years with a 12 million dollar mutual option)
I’m having deja vu with Aaron Rowand
If Bill Smith did go against the grain and offer J-Roll 5 years, it would be the best move of his General Managerial career.
3-36 or less Jimmy. Anything more and I’ll wish you success somewhere else.
3-36 or less Jimmy. Anything more and I’ll wish you success somewhere else.