Phillies shortstop and impending free agent Jimmy Rollins met with the media at Citizens Bank Park today. Rollins' quotes will be easier to parse once a full transcript is available, but in the meantime here are a few nuggets from the team's beat writers.
- Rollins reiterated that he's seeking a five-year deal, tweets MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The shortstop said he's open to a fifth-year option, however. Zolecki indicates that it'd have to be Rollins' option, so perhaps a player or vesting one. Rollins turns 33 next month. He talked about his five-year goal to SI's Jon Heyman on September 28th.
- Rollins says there's a "good chance" a deal with the Phillies happens, tweets Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Zolecki has Rollins saying he can't picture wearing another uniform, but noted that the shortstop also said it's about years and money.
- GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he plans to keep talks with Rollins private. Asked what losing Rollins would mean, Amaro said, "I will say that it will be a huge blow for us, but not insurmountable." Amaro said some in the organization feel Freddy Galvis is ready to play shortstop every day, and some do not, so he's not sure whether they'd go outside the organization for a replacement.
notsureifsrs
boom boom boom with the posts. bummed my team isn’t in the playoffs, but very un-bummed that this site is picking up again
TRADE EVERYBODY
BlueCatuli
Just out of curiosity, who do you root for?
Infield Fly
He’s a Sawks fan.
notsureifsrs
*laughtrack*
no no! not one of those sox fans! promise!
*laughtrack*
=(
Pete 12
Is there ANY chance whatsoever that he isn’t putting up Orlando Cabrera numbers at age 37?
“Aging shortstop gets 5 year deal” isn’t a statement that should ever exist, but in 2011 probably will :/
start_wearing_purple
Rollins on Free Agency: “I am sloppy seconds for those who missed out on Reyes.”
Jeremy Swedroe
he doesnt even run hard to first base…as a phillies fan, i rather let galvis take the reigns and say bye bye jimmy
not_brooks
He’ll get two years at best. Maybe a club option for a third year. And it won’t be in Philly.
Jeremy Key
Before playoffs started I said it all depends on if Rollins steps up in playoffs with his offense …..because his defense is def one of the best in leagues …but is that enough to keep him and for FIVE YEARS come on jimmy …….we need bats and need them bad in 2012 ….so im thinking its been nice having you as a philly but have fun next year on another team
Christopher David
Enjoy San Fran, J-Roll. That is until they cut you at age 37 w/ 100mm still left on your contract.
Matt Fuhs
I would love for him to accept arbitration. Give him a year to try and improve his numbers and reputation, and try to get the big contract when he’s competing with Stephen Drew, not Reyes. Phillies get to stall and see if Galvis can sustain his relatively new production at the plate.
Matt Fuhs
I would love for him to accept arbitration. Give him a year to try and improve his numbers and reputation, and try to get the big contract when he’s competing with Stephen Drew, not Reyes. Phillies get to stall and see if Galvis can sustain his relatively new production at the plate.
Phillies_Aces35
I don’t understand why people feel the need to say “yeah right Jimmy” or just be completely outraged for him asking for 5 years…
… either you don’t understand how a negotiation works or you do and you’re just being ignorant.
Jimmy knows he isn’t going to get 5 years… but what’s the harm in asking for it and hoping somebody’s stupid enough to offer 5?
William Kafer
Yeah, he asks for 5, most teams offer 3, and he’ll end up with some kind of 4year deal.
I think he gets 3/$40 with a $10M player option, or just a straight 4/$50.
omavricko
We in Seattle would love to see Jimmy Rollins batting 2nd behind ichiro
Luis
That worked out well signing a speedy infielder in his 30’s.
Phillies_Aces35
He’s not a two hole hitter. He doesn’t have the mind set.
jalora
San Francisco might give him the years he wants. They just sold out every game last season and have a black hole at shortstop.
Joseph Golden
As a Braves fan, I hope Amaro is stupid enough to give him 5 years.
Slopeboy
Five years?? Who does he think he is, Derek Jeter!?
Just kidding, Philly fans. Please don’t send hate messages or bombard me with Metrics showing what an overrated bum Jeter is compared to Rollins.
Though I do think that the 5 years is nothing more the an opening bid. Can’t see Amaro going more than 3 at big money. The team IS starting to show age throughout the entire roster, SS would be a good place to start getting younger.
SixAces
On the scale of overrated SS, Rollins isn’t too far back from Jeter.