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NL Notes: Rollins, Phillies, Braves, Swanson, Diamondbacks

By Connor Byrne | March 4, 2018 at 11:09pm CDT

Longtime major league shortstop Jimmy Rollins hasn’t officially wrapped up his playing career since the Giants released him in March 2017, but it seems the 39-year-old is heading in that direction. Rollins will soon meet with Phillies general manager Matt Klentak to discuss a potential role, according to Matt Breen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Rollins would like to retire as a Phillie, and while he isn’t interested in coaching, “he could work on assisting some players or on special assignments,” Breen writes. Rollins is best known for his run with the Phillies from 2000-14, a period in which he established himself as one of the greatest players in franchise history.

More from the National League…

  • This is “a critical year” for the Braves, in part because it will help them decide how aggressively to seek upgrades via the free agent and trade markets next winter, general manager Alex Anthopoulos told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. “The ideal scenario is that these guys emerge, they all take these jobs, run with them and become a part of our core,” Anthopoulos said of the Braves’ young talent, and he mentioned shortstop Dansby Swanson, third basemen Johan Camargo and Austin Riley, and catcher Alex Jackson as players who are capable of etching themselves into the team’s long-term plans this season. The most notable member of that group is Swanson, whom Arizona chose No. 1 in the 2015 draft and then traded to Atlanta in the well-known Shelby Miller deal later that year. Swanson’s now coming off his first full major league season, in which he struggled to a .232/.312/.324 batting line in 551 plate appearances. “Dansby Swanson at shortstop; everyone knows about Draft status and talent and all of that, but he didn’t have the year he’s capable of last year,” Anthopoulos said. “He’d be the first one to tell you that. Does he take that step and emerge as our shortstop?”
  • At 34 and in the last year of his contract, outfielder Nick Markakis probably isn’t in the Braves’ long-term plans. But he’s still a Brave for now, and his coaches and teammates are glad, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explains. Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer told O’Brien that Markakis is the “ultimate professional” and compared him to Royals luminaries George Brett and Alex Gordon, two people Seitzer’s familiar with from his days in Kansas City. Meanwhile, Swanson is “super thankful” Markakis is still in the fold. The same could hold true for manager Brian Snitker, whom Markakis raved about to O’Brien. According to O’Brien, now-former Braves president John Hart berated Snitker in the manager’s office after a loss last August. Markakis caught wind of it and “made it known, had the message sent up the chain, that if Hart ever treated the manager that way again that Markakis would, in so many words, kick his ass,” O’Brien writes.
  • The Diamondbacks’ three-man closer competition is “wide open,” manager Torey Lovullo told Steve Gilbert of MLB.com and other reporters Sunday. The club’s choosing among Brad Boxberger, Yoshihisa Hirano (two offseason acquisitions) and Archie Bradley to replace Fernando Rodney, who converted 39 of 45 save opportunities as a D-back last year before leaving for Minnesota in free agency. Boxberger, though, has been dealing with “general arm soreness,” Gilbert relays, and hasn’t pitched in a game since Feb. 23. It’s unclear when he’ll see game action again, but Lovullo did say he “looked good” and “felt fantastic” during a 25-pitch bullpen session Sunday.
  • Elsewhere on the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff, a lack of starting depth is an issue, particularly since the team dealt Anthony Banda to the Rays in last month’s Steven Souza Jr. trade, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic observes. Piecoro goes on to run down the Diamondbacks’ in-house options behind the enviable starting five of Zack Greinke, Robbie Ray, Zack Godley, Taijuan Walker and Patrick Corbin. With the exception of the aforementioned Shelby Miller, who won’t return until the summer after undergoing Tommy John surgery last year, no one in the group has much of a big league track record. Fortunately for the D-backs, general manager Mike Hazen realizes they need help on that front. “I think there’s still some work to do there,” Hazen said of the team’s starting depth. “I think it’s an obvious area of focus now that we traded Banda. As I said before, it sort of always was as we went through that process.”
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Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Philadelphia Phillies Archie Bradley Brad Boxberger Jimmy Rollins Nick Markakis Yoshihisa Hirano

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View Comments (59)
Post a Comment

59 Comments

  1. xabial

    7 years ago

    Will Markakis gets traded?! Owed $10.5 million in 2018 – Final year of a four-year $44 million contract.

    Predict his future, in 2018. I still predict he gets traded.

    1
    Reply
    • bigcubsfan

      7 years ago

      Hello? Monkey man. Who would want that contract? Braves don’t, Red Sox don’t, Cavaliers don’t, I going to go hit a home run into the basket hoop at the next super bowl and you will be surprised!

      Reply
      • bigcubsfan

        7 years ago

        Ok. There are multiple things wrong with what you just said. The Cavaliers are an NBA team. They couldn’t acquire him even if they wanted too. Home runs are in baseball, baskets are in basketball, and superbowls are in football. I think you may be the mounkey-man

        Reply
        • jkinser20

          7 years ago

          You are the most annoying person on this website

          16
          Reply
        • Sirsleepit

          7 years ago

          I think his joke went a little over your head bigcubsfan…

          1
          Reply
        • xabial

          7 years ago

          He can be serious when he wants to, though!

          Signed,
          Monkey man.

          4
          Reply
        • bigcubsfan

          7 years ago

          I see you changed your profile picture. I liked the MAD cover better to be honest.

          1
          Reply
        • xabial

          7 years ago

          I feel like MAD cover rubbed people off wrong way… maybe we can have throwback for a day or until Arrieta signs..

          1
          Reply
        • Michael Chaney

          7 years ago

          You must be so much fun at parties

          6
          Reply
        • brucewayne

          7 years ago

          Right in the top 5 !

          Reply
        • realgone2

          7 years ago

          He’s gonna start whining about up votes and down votes soon

          Reply
  2. kster224488k

    7 years ago

    Dansby will have a great bounce back year…and they still need Kakes for his leadership…a lot of talent in Atlanta fixing to hit their stride…

    1
    Reply
  3. KingSall77

    7 years ago

    Agreed, I know it’s spring training, but Swanson took Max Scherzer deep the other day.

    1
    Reply
  4. bravesfan88

    7 years ago

    Awesome, good for Markakis, sticking up for his coach…

    And that’s just highly unprofessional of John Hart…I honestly cannot say I’m all that suprised..Good for Markakis though, I would have paid some excellent money to see him kick the BS out of Hart…Although, I’m not sure anyone has the amount of stamina that would take…Hart is completely full of it!!

    6
    Reply
    • EndinStealth

      7 years ago

      When you say good money you better mean the rest of his contract. Because that would be an excellent reason to void the rest of it.

      Reply
    • jbaker3170

      7 years ago

      There’s literally zero chance Markakis said that. No matter if Hart was in the right, or wrong, a player should never threaten to kick the ass of a high ranking team official, coach, etc. He’d be off the team had this really happened

      Reply
      • iverbure

        7 years ago

        I’m certain this happens monthly. If you haven’t noticed alpha males around other alpha males talk like that all the time. Kick off the team lol.

        1
        Reply
      • Jbigz12

        7 years ago

        I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of stuff said in the locker room like this. YOure dealing with 25 men on the team plus all the coaches and FO. They don’t sit around in a circle and hold hands all year. This kind o f stuff happens.

        Reply
  5. TradeAcuna

    7 years ago

    “This is “a critical year” for the Braves, in part because it will help them decide how aggressively to seek upgrades via the free agent and trade markets next winter”

    Cannot wait to hear the exact same thing next year.

    1
    Reply
    • baseballfanforever

      7 years ago

      And that’s exactly what is going to happen. No big trades for any top tier talent like Kershaw or Harper types. They have $124 million because of this new stadium and they couldn’t spend a little more on payroll to make the Braves more playoff worthy ? Really ? They overlooked so many decently priced players that it really makes you wonder what they are thinking.

      Reply
      • chrisones

        7 years ago

        They’re probably thinking that building a team from the farm is better then buying a team like the marlins and BoSox tried a few years ago.

        1
        Reply
      • NL_East_Rivalry

        7 years ago

        What they are thinking? How many years would they sign those players and who would they kick out? I understand there are some outfielders and 3B they could have grabbed, but the Braves aren’t looking for a quick fix. They are trying to find players that will last. They aren’t moving Kakes to a bench role so signing an outfielder for 2-4 weeks is dumb. They want Camargo and Ruiz to get full playing time to see if they can become legit players at 3rd. I know this is unlikely and it makes more sense to sign a Todd for at least until Riley is ready, but they truly believe that Camargo is the answer there.

        Reply
      • arp7241

        7 years ago

        “They overlooked so many decently priced players”

        Who were these players?

        Reply
      • atlho

        7 years ago

        Are you ALREADY complaining about NEXT year? lmfao

        1
        Reply
      • realgone2

        7 years ago

        HAHAH. No big trade for Kershaw and Harper? How drunk are you right now?

        Reply
  6. dbacks4life

    7 years ago

    Who do you think the Dbacks should go after?
    Greg Holland or Jake Arrieta
    Reasons:
    Greg Holland is probably less expensive and can provide relief of what is really an average bullpen, Jake Arrieta is more expensive but can provide some good starting depth and can help the team even compete for a NL West title.

    Reply
    • brewcrewer

      7 years ago

      There is a 0.0% chance they go after arrieta

      Reply
      • ncaachampillini

        7 years ago

        That’s actually too high I think even lower.

        5
        Reply
      • dbacks4life

        7 years ago

        Yeah but hey they do have some kinda money considering they wanted to increase the payroll J.D and if they do it’s probably 1 or 2 years

        Reply
        • dbacks4life

          7 years ago

          *for*

          Reply
        • David C

          7 years ago

          I’d be surprised if Arrieta accepts a 1 to 2 year contract (and a team giving up a first round pick just for that). At this late stage, it makes sense for Jake to just wait. At worst, the June 1st deadline passes for draft pick forfeiture, and he gets the same 1 to 2 year contract as contending teams feel the pressing need for starting pitching down the stretch.

          Reply
    • CubsRebsSaints

      7 years ago

      Alex Cobb

      Reply
  7. BlueSkyLA

    7 years ago

    I’m surprised Rollins isn’t interested in coaching. He has a ready-made personality for it.

    2
    Reply
    • Jimcarlo Slaton

      7 years ago

      He’s been involved with music/producing for a while now.
      He’d probably rather focus and expand on that than be occupied by coaching at least half of the year, plus he’s got a young family.
      I think he likes the spotlight, and MLB coaching isn’t that…. Maybe when he’s older.

      1
      Reply
  8. Anonymouslives

    7 years ago

    I’m a Tigers fan and would liked to have seen JDM stay with the diamondbacks. I don’t see how they could not have matched or bettered the Red Sox in that contract. I think most tiger fans don’t like seeing the Yankees or Red Sox get players that we enjoyed having.

    Reply
    • David C

      7 years ago

      I’m sure that it was JDM’s preference to have stayed in Arizona. He loved that clubhouse and hitting there. Plus, he’d continue playing RF each day. My guess is that he would have given them a home team discount, but, a one year pillow contract was never going to cut it.

      The reasoning that front office gave is that the Greinke contract and the desire to re-sign Goldschmidt made a big JDM contract undoable. My question, though, is maybe similar to yours: given that D-Back organization is signed to 1.5 billion dollar TV contract for 10 yrs. with the ink only dry now for 2 years (And, each MLB team is getting a check this off season for 50 million as part of the TV liability settlement case), I can’t believe they couldn’t have structured something with JDM. Their window to win is now…

      Reply
  9. Caseys.Partner

    7 years ago

    Rollins used to hang out on the railing with Charlie Manuel. I always saw him becoming a manager later. I think he’s just playing it down, but that’s always been his post playing goal.

    2
    Reply
  10. eddiemathews

    7 years ago

    How much HOF support will Rollins get?

    1
    Reply
    • David C

      7 years ago

      While Rollins has had a great career, and was a dominant, elite level player from about 2004 to 2008 when he had WAR every year over 5.2 (And MVP in 07), I just think that he falls just short of the Hall. But I could see the Veterans Committe e eventually enshrining him.

      Reply
    • Phillies2017

      7 years ago

      It’ll be close but fingers crossed

      Reply
  11. Z-A 2

    7 years ago

    Not enough stats to back it up for the era in which he played. Sure 46th overall in SBs All-Time…but <2500 Hits, <250 HR, <1000 RBI. Only a .264 BA and .324 OBP. Just not enough… loved him as a player tho… Phillies fan here. Good Player, not a Great Player. Only had that one Great MVP season. Rest he was a good player.

    Reply
  12. GarryHarris

    7 years ago

    Greatest Phillies Team

    C Bob Boone
    C Jack Clements
    1B Dick Allen
    1B Ryan Howard
    2B Larry LaJoie
    3B Mike Schmidt

    SS JIMMY ROLLINS

    LF EdDelehanty
    LF Sherry Magee
    CF Whitey Ashburn
    CF Billy Hamilton
    CF Cy Williams
    RF Chuck Klein
    RF Hank Thompson
    RF Gavvy Cravath
    SP Pete Alexander
    SPL Steve Carlton
    SP Robin Roberts
    SP Jim Bunning
    SP Curt Schilling
    SP Charlie Ferguson
    SPL Curt Simmons
    SP Cole Hamels
    RPL Tug McGraw

    Reply
    • weezlpuppy

      7 years ago

      Bunning pitched more games as a Tiger than as a Phillie and Pirate combined…He goes on the Tiger all time staff with Verlander, McLain, Lolich, Morris and Newhauser…

      Reply
    • Solaris601

      7 years ago

      You better hope Larry Bowa doesn’t see that list or you will be in for a scrap.

      Reply
    • brucewayne

      7 years ago

      No Pete Rose on there at all?

      Reply
  13. Braveslifer

    7 years ago

    Contract year for Kakes, he has shown this spring that he can bring it, and I am sure that’s what he’ll. I DO however think he will be traded by ASB.

    Reply
  14. CowboysoldierFTW

    7 years ago

    I think Rollins gets in through the veterans committee one day.

    Reply
  15. eddiemathews

    7 years ago

    Do the gold gloves matter?

    Reply
  16. Jimcarlo Slaton

    7 years ago

    He was better defensively than offensively. His anti leadoff hitter approach didn’t work very well most years, but he was a very, very good shortstop… As a hitter, it seemed like he tried to be Rickey Henderson…. IMO

    Reply
    • Brixton

      7 years ago

      How was he trying to be Henderson? Lol

      Reply
  17. davidcoonce74

    7 years ago

    If Rollins was trying to be Rickey he failed magnificently. Rickey had a career OBP 77 points higher than Rollins.

    1
    Reply
  18. Jimcarlo Slaton

    7 years ago

    Rollins was an A’s/Henderson fan as a kid. I believe he tried to emulate Henderson’s power hitting as a lead-off hitter.. He should have tried emulating the ability to get on base at such a high rate… Lol ::snort::

    Reply
  19. hojostache

    7 years ago

    Agreed. If you have any doubts…ask Rickey…and he’ll tell you how great Rickey Henderson was over Rickey Henderson’s career.

    Reply
  20. jekporkins

    7 years ago

    Rollins is a Dale Murphy-type player. He was fantastic for his team and deserves to be in the Phillie Hall Of Fame, but not the Cooperstown one. What he did for his team was amazing, even though the stats might not show as much.

    Reply
  21. juicemane

    7 years ago

    so if Swanson is a AAAA player and Shelby Miller is a 3-4 starter…was it a bad trade??? lol

    Reply
    • RunDMC

      7 years ago

      Inciarte and that nice extension says no. And for what it’s worth, Blair is looking nice in a small sample size as a bullpen piece. Anything we get from Swanson is aces.

      Reply
  22. baseballfanforever

    7 years ago

    NL_East_Rivalry2…. Sorry for some reason the reply function isn’t working on my computer… don’t know why…

    I disagree. Sometimes I think people don’t read what I’m saying. I said they had another $124 million to spend and they elected to not spend a single penny on any upgrades. That doesn’t seem odd to anyone? They could have signed a FULL TIME thirdbaseman for that kind of money. And frankly they can’t keep ALL of their prospects. At some point they are going to have to trade someone.

    There’s no reason to not put Carmargo on the bench. Ruiz just plain sucks. HIs minor league career has been mediocre at best and he hasn’t done anything at the major league level. So i don’t think management puts much faith in him. Carmargo is their ONLY OPTION so they don’t really have a choice but to hype him for 3B. He is okay but I really don’t think he is the solution even for this year.

    Markakis? He has been slowly eroding over the years so let’s just see what he does now. He is below average and frankly he may finally slide just enough in 2018 that they will have to find a replacement.

    Well whatever… managements hand will be forced one way or another if things don’t go as planned.

    Reply
    • petfoodfella

      7 years ago

      2018 is still apart of the rebuild. Why blow it all up and spend some money when it’s not the right time? They need to get a feel of the younger guys, and in 2019 FA class, can make some splashes (which I think is their plan) to satisfy you type of fans who have to have a team spending spending spending bc you think that translates to wins automatically.

      Reply
  23. Solaris601

    7 years ago

    The most surprising part of this article is that Markakis is only 34! I really thought he was 37 or 38. I knew he hadn’t aged well, but it’s worse than I thought.

    Reply

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