Phillies exercise Rollins' option
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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.
Comment removed.
Why is it that when the Phillies toss J-roll a crumb,someone wants to trade him?He is integral to their success.— homer2811- The Seattle press has been exuberant about this trade. Bay is apparently on the way there (he's from the area and talking about a local discount). So, they'll have a formidable lineup, as well as the best 1-2 pitching rotation in the majors. (Remember Spahn, Sain and a day of rain if we have to face them in the Series next year.) Lee has not signed an extensiov with them, so he will still be a free agent after 2010. I hope the Roobster will have the cajones to take a slice of humble pie and pursue him then.— revsears
- Obviously we'd all like to see Jimmy play more to his normal offensive standards in 2010, but assuming at least 2009 production, I hope they look to extend him so he can play out his career here. Jimmy's the heart and soul of the team, as well as its face and voice.— Joe Light
- My guess is Werth doesn't get resigned after 2010, clearing the way for Domonic Brown. Jimmy is the man at short. The SS of the future, Freddy Galvis needs to hone his hitting before he is even going to be considered as JRoll's heir apparent. Galvis can flash the leather though.— joenose
Jimmy is an integral part of this winning team. I would love to see him hitting 7th if we had a true leadoff guy. He's got some power. Then again, he only leads off once a game...- Ahh..the buffoons that are the philly sports fans. Some of you are complete bozos. The guy is the GREATEST SS to EVER wear a Phillies uni, yet people crush him. Shouldn't be all that surprising, look what the same clowns do to the QB in this town. He also is the GREATEST player @ his position in this city. Lay off the eggnog boys, it's impairing your pea sized brains.— somertonspartan
- Seems like a great financial decision. How many experienced SS are you gonna find at that price. There's no doubt Jimmy is a leader on this team and his being the union rep says what the team thinks of his leadership. However he has gone past the point where he is a bonified leadoff hitter. Call it a flaw in his approach to the game or a decrease in his talent offensively, he does not get on base enough for a leadoff hitter. This hurts the phils in so many ways its not funny because once you put runners on the game changes immediately for the defense. Just turning the pitcher around can have game changing effects. Victorino is a loyal friend to Jimmy and you won't see him jumping to take his spot but the reality of it is, he is the spark in this offense. Once he puts the ball in play all he11 breakes loose. Werth would be the centerfielder and #3 hitter on almost any other team but the Phils. He's not because Utley is locked into that spot, either by his own need or because Charlie is guilty of limited thinking. I'll say this again: For this team to be a complete success next year they are going to have to break the mold and find ways to counter the rest of the league. Changing players is just a bandaid.— Wally 24
- Please, don't compare Scutaro with J-Roll, specially defensively. Scutaro has been an utility player most of his career before replacing a mediocre McDonald as the Jays SS. He had a nice season last year but he is 33 years old.— EL Zorro
- Jimmy Rollins' defense has been the glue for the Phillies since they became a winning team. He should be kept a Phillie for his entire career. Like Jeter in NY, Ripkin in Balt and Larkin in Cinn, a great shortstop cannot be replaced and should stay with one team. If Jimmy stays healthy he could put up stats that would make him a very likely candidate for the Hall of Fame.— bradco
- THE PHILLYS SUCK— stevoo
- THE PHILLYS ARE THE WORST TEAM EVER— stevoo
- I HOPE THE PHILLYS LOSE EVERY GAME IN 2010— stevoo
- Good move, nice to know we have two more years with the championship nucleus intact, pretty damned impressive management of resources....— CallisonTaylorRojas
- Ruben "Little Ed" Amaro, has managed to resurrect his "Little Ed" moniker. Evidently, Stanford didn't help him overcome the good old boys network. Seattle got hooked up with Lee for nothing while "Little Ed" stocked the shelves. Phillies still win the division but when it comes to Game 3, Blanton is no better off with Halladay as #1, as when Lee was #1. This is a shell game and nothing else.— jrquixote
