“Multiple teams” have some interest in signing veteran infielder Jimmy Rollins as a second baseman, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. For now, though, the 37-year-old is waiting to see if an opportunity arises for him to continue as a shortstop.
In the sixteen seasons he’s logged to date, Rollins has spent exactly one third of an inning in the field at a position other than short. (That notable moment came back in 2002, and according to Baseball-Reference he was indeed standing at the second base position.) Of course, there’s a good reason for that: Rollins has long delivered solid-to-excellent glovework up the middle — though UZR has generally preferred him more than has DRS as he’s aged.
Last year was, by many measures, the worst in Rollins’ dignified career. He put up a career-low 78 OPS+ last year with a .224/.285/.358 slash line, logged less than twenty steals for the first time since an injury-shortened 2010 season, and finished with a negative BsR rating (Fangraphs’ baserunning component of WAR) for the first time ever. Though Rollins is still as sure-handed as ever, declining range left him with poor defensive marks. Indeed, the Dodgers gave the bulk of the playing time down the stretch and in the divisional series to freshly-promoted youngster Corey Seager (due in part to injury).
That all sounds like a less-than-promising combination. And there’s little doubt that Rollins is no longer the outstanding player of yesteryear. But he’s also just one campaign removed from a ~3.5 to 4-WAR season.
The concept of utilizing Rollins at second base actually makes a good bit of sense, from my perspective. As noted above, he remains a sound fielder, and could well rate as an excellent overall defender at second. With approximately league-average offensive lines in three of the last five years, there’s still cause to hope that he’ll approach that level of production at the plate while returning to contributing on the bases.
The free agent supply at second is, of course, rather light outside of Howie Kendrick, and it doesn’t hurt at all that Rollins would also function as a reserve shortstop. While it’s always tough to guess at possible suitors, I’d peg the Angels as the club that makes the most sense for this sort of arrangement, at least on paper, and some other teams may have interest in setting up a time share of some kind.
Dee Gordon would have been ok at 2nd for the Dodgers. Oh well, who would have thought a speedy ex-short stop would be better than an old 1 year rental second baseman.
The Dodgers don’t have Perry Hill which is where his defensive prowess and improvement came from. It was quite clear he didn’t fit with a Mattingly run team. Although, Wallach has improved him. Love Dee but he won’t have the same year next year with Stanton in the lineup. He’s an exceptional player, but dodger fans have to get over it. Wait to see how kike improves and Barnes plays or fetches in return to judge the trade.
And btw yeah Rollins was the bridge SS for Seager
As a mentor for Seager as well.
I could be way off base due to lack of knowledge about their farm system but the Yankees seem plausible to me given their lack of depth/quality MLB capable middle infielders. Give him a two year deal and it fits in line with their intentions to stay competitive in the short term while bridging a gap til other prospects/free agents are available.
As far as their depth beyond their starters in Castro-Gregorius in the MIF, it’s Refsnyder/Ackley at 2nd and not much for SS beyond Kozma in AAA (Castro is probably the backup there at this point and I doubt they want to take much time away from him focusing on 2B), so it makes some degree of sense. They probably want to find someone who can back-up 3rd as well, Headley really has no clear back-up (Kozma again is probably next in line), but you definitely don’t have to squint too hard to see where it could make sense.
Ref was the 2nd baseman of the future but they got Castro now as an option
Future Hall of Famer Rob Refsnyder
Rollins is probably not going to sign a minor league deal, so a major league spot would be necessary for him. That would leave Rollins/Ref/Ackley as part of the bench unit unless Ackley gets DFA (even though he can play OF, he wouldn’t be an ideal backup OF fit considering the Yanks have two lefties, a switch and a righty [Hicks] as their top 4). In terms of filling out the bench, roster spots and keeping players happy with playing time (I assume you’d want to give Didi and Castro as much time as possible in the field and the Yanks don’t have room at the DH spot), Rollins wouldn’t fit.
Maybe the Padres?
If Rollins is going to extend his career it’s probably going to have to be as a utility infielder, but not because he’s become defensively challenged, but because he’s unlikely to hit much over his weight at age 37+. Any team would be smart to pick him up in that role if they have the need, and hope they can get him to stay on as a coach when he’s done.
The Reds ? Just like Scott Rolen in 2010/2011. They’re quite young now,so it might make sense.
I don’t see that as a fit, as they already have Peraza, Cosart en Suarez for the middle infield spots.
They list the angels as a fit for Rollins, I don’t see it unless they put him at second base to platoon with Johnny G.
I’d rather see Johnny G grow then J-Roll decline even if J-Roll has a better glove..it’s not that much better to make up for his lack of offense….
Rollins problem isn’t where he plays its his batting ave. wish you all the best Jimmy
what would the angels want with him? A veteran presence in the club house would be great and maybe sometime at second.
Royals? Lots of reasons why this should happen:
1) royals said they are open to upgrades at 2b
2) royals are a winning team so Rollins would likely be more accepting of a utility role if it was on a contender
3) Raul Mondesi reminds me a lot of a young J-Roll, so he could mentor Modesi
Not sure he would be a huge upgrade over infante/colon, but it could work…
At this point in his career I would prefer Johnny G at 2b then Grandpa Rollins
The Yankees spent all that money on the wrong players. They stink everywhere. And they never draft well. There bull pen is great with too many egos.
Rollins to the twins they need a shortstop and could use the the vet leadership like tori did last year.