Phillies exercise Rollins' option
News blogs, sports blogs, entertainment blogs, and more from Philly.com, The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News.
Phillies exercise Rollins' option
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
The Phillies made official what was pretty evident all along, exercising Jimmy Rollins' $8.5 million option for the 2011 season. This ensures that seven of the team's eight projected regulars will be under club control for the next two seasons, the lone exception being right fielder Jayson Werth, who will be a free agent after this year.
It also gives a clearer picture of the Phillies payroll heading into next offseason, when they will have several critical decisions to make, including re-signing Werth or finding a capable replacement, finding two starters to follow Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and J.A. Happ in the rotation, as well as several bullpen pieces (lefthander J.C. Romero has a $4.5 million option for 2011 -- Ryan Madson and Brad Lidge will both be entering the final years of their contracts).
According to data compiled by the Daily News, the Phillies have just under $108 million committed to 11 players for the 2011 season.
Rollins, who signed a 5-year, $40 million extension in 2005 and will make $7.5 million in 2010, would have been due a $2 million buy-out had the Phillies not exercised his option.
“Jimmy has always been an integral part of our club, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse as well,” general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. “He has been a big part of the team’s success over the past three years and there is no doubt that we want him to be a part of that in the future.”
In 155 games last season, Rollins hit .250 with 22 home runs and 77 RBI. With a team-leading 31 stolen bases, he recorded his sixth straight season (2004-09) with 30 or more steals. Defensively, Rollins led all major league shortstops in fielding percentage (.990) and committed a career-low six errors en route to winning his third straight Gold Glove Award.
Entering his 11th season with the club, Rollins is currently the longest tenured Phillie on the team. In franchise history, he ranks third in doubles (350), fourth in stolen bases (326), fifth in runs scored (945), triples (95) and extra-base hits (591) and eighth in hits (1,629). For his career, the 2007 National League MVP is hitting .274 with 146 home runs and 621 RBI in 1,406 games.
Did they have to exercise it now? It just seems premature. I guess we're assuming he won't be the worst leadoff hitter in the game this year. If only someone could talk sense to Manuel: Rollins actually looks pretty darn good in the 7-hole.— philly_in_DC- jackhammer ... maybe they also could have traded Paul Hoover, Andrew Carpenter, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer and a case of sun flower seeds to the Yankees for CC Sabathia ... no, no, that wouldn't work. They'd end up getting killed by the booberatti for making another crazy 5-for-1 Von Hayes deal.— GoPhilsGo
- .You can wish in one hand....— drbob456
- gobirds556: one flaw in your ridiculous scenario; the Phillies had Lee under contract for next season for $9 million, no ands, ifs, and buts. There was no need to trade him, other than a salary dump, and the Phillies knew it, which is why they did so on the same day they traded for Halladay, so that they would not need to explain to an exasperated fan base why they let go of a Cy Young award winner, who went 4-0 in the playoffs, for mid-level prospects. We all wanted Halladay, but not necessarily at the cost of Lee, WHO WAS UNDER CONTRACT FAR BELOW MARKET CALUE FOR 2010. But thank you for your brilliant insights.— chuckw
- Totally agree. I'd even try and lock up Rollins for another 4-5 years. Gloves of his caliber do not fall off trees. People like zwarte piet should be banned from the ballpark.— UncleEddie
- I meant to type, "value," not "calue."— chuckw
- Cliff Lee will be a phillie in July so just try to relax.This is a game they are playing with the fans.Blanton ,Moyer will be gone next year.If there payroll is too high they must pay a payroll tax which is a lot of money.So i think they go get him just like last year.— Bernard Washabaugh
Comment removed.- We have gotten SOOO spoiled by the starting position players! Rollins is by far, better than the guy I thought was the best-ever SS to ever play for the team....Larry Bowa. He is a true, clutch player, ESPECIALLY with his glove! The fact that he has emerged as a dangerous hitter in recent years is truly, icing on the cake. (Bowa couldn't hit his way out of a paper bag, but his temperament, dedication, and his PASSION for the game made up for it!) JRoll will only be appreciated properly after he is no longer playing.— TBear
- Rollins, for all his shortcomings, is integral to this team. And at this price, a steal...— KevinRx
- Comment removed.
Over the last 10 years, we've had the pleasure of watching Jimmy Rollins grow as a baseball player and as a man. It's nice to know he'll be in Philly for at least a couple more.- We're talking about prospects. Not a real major leaguer. We're talking about prospects.— P Even
- Everyone will sing a different tune as soon as Rollins starts off batting .300 like he was 2nd half of this past season. One bad 1st half of a season and everyone wants him gone, except the ones respecting his defense. Rollins is exceptional.— Will.i.Am
- Comment removed.
