Phillies, Brewers going toe-to-toe for Rollins?
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Phillies, Brewers going toe-to-toe for Rollins?
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
You can put at least one name on your list of serious suitors for Jimmy Rollins. Brewers manager Ron Roenicke did little to hide his team's interest in the free agent short stop. Asked how Rollins would look in a Brewers uniform, the manager smiled and said, "He'd look good."
While the Brewers have not given up on signing first baseman Prince Fielder, they do appear to be a long-shot, which leaves them considering other ways to keep their offense competitive. Rollins, apparently, is one such option.
Roenicke, who has lived with subpar production at the position out of Yuniesky Betancourt, was highly complimentary when talking about his team's interest in the short stop, citing his offensive and defensive abilities as well as his attitude when talking about what makes him an attractive candidate.
Roenicke said he still sees Rollins as a top-of-the-order hitter, whether it is at leadoff or No. 2.
We'll have the complete quotes as soon as we get back down from Ruben Amaro Jr.'s press briefing, which begins in five minutes.
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"Philadelphia is the only city, where you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day." -- M. Schmidt— chuck.goodwin- The Phillies were a second rate team before they got Rollins, and they will be again if he he leaves. He is the Phillies leader and they still need him.— Paul SoTX
- shady - you mean 2033, not 2023— Chainsaw
- You guys got some kinda cajones ripping Rollins for his character. I doubt anyone of us has sat down with him for more than 30 minutes and just talked to the guy. If anything, Rollins has only ever built this team up instead of bringing it down, notably '07-'08's "team to beat" speeches. As for his overt ego and "me-first" attitude when it comes to hitting leadoff, did you forget that Rollins batted leadoff for the first time on May 3rd this season? He took one for the team and filled in the third spot while Utley was gone and Charlie had Shane hit leadoff. Even if he does have a preference to lead off the order, he will bat where Charlie writes his name on the lineup card. And it's not like Charlie has a lot of leadoff options anyway. Victorino maybe, but his splits indicate he's far more valuable in the lineup behind Ryan Howard. And a "clubhouse cancer," really? I wasn't aware they let philly.commenters see the inner machinations of the clubhouse. Milton Bradley is a clubhouse cancer. Carlos Zambrano is a clubhouse cancer. Jimmy Rollins is not.
So to everyone dumping on their poorly-constructed caricatures of Rollins's character, I kindly say: Shut up.— SheratonII - Hey, please show him some LOVE. He has meant a lot to this team. Was MVP of league. Pay him what he wants and finish career here. There is no better fielding SS in the majors. Please stay, J.— BigMike100
- Length is going to be the factor in where Rollins ends up. As a Phillies fan I would love to see him back but wouldn't sign him longer than 2 years. If the Brewers can top that then J Roll will no doubt be gone. he already said he won't give a hometown discount so the money is important too, but contract length is his #1 priority.— Kanayd
- marlins just paid reyes $100+ million for 6-yrs. it's called 'the free market,' folks. oh and they have money for pujols and signed heath bell. phillies can't afford a downgrade on left side of infield - either rollins or ramirez or who??— cowpoke
- . . . and reyes hasn't played 162 in years. the shortstop factory ain't what it used to be, guys.— cowpoke
- hey jimmy ,hey ruben...... some where between 3 and 5 is 4 ...... if you both want protection make anything extra based o n games played or performance and lets make the best option for both happen— ManoaFan
Rollins is the best shortstop in Phillies history (by far - he has created about twice the value of Bowa according to both Fangraphs and Baseball-reference).
Hopefully he will be stay, as he is still the best option available, providing speed, defense, and the ability to take a walk.
Also, Ramirez is not that much better than Polanco. While a much better hitter, he gave most of that up on defense. In 2011 he was a little better than Polanco, but in 2010 Polanco was MUCH better than Ramirez.— schmenkman
Comment removed.- PhightinPhil, what does "park company with him" mean?— FMT
- They could sign the best player at every position, but it won't matter, as long as you have an idiot managing the team Cholly should have been gone last year. But guess we will continue to have the same nonsense this year, and than wonder why the Phillies go out in the first round again. Cholly is clueless— jingles
- Wonder if they will celebrate every pop out with men on base by sending Bernie down the chute— Mr. Baseball
- Funny stuff guys.— tobyjoe
