Rollins wants 5 years
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Rollins wants 5 years
Matt Gelb, Inquirer Staff Writer
There is much to discuss from two press conferences today eulogizing the 2011 Phillies, but it will begin and end with Jimmy Rollins, who appears to be the linchpin on an entire winter.
Rollins, a Phillie for the last 15 years of his life, has set the bar high for his impending free agency. The soon-to-be 33-year-old shortstop wants a five-year contract.
"I'm looking to get five years," Rollins said. "If it's going to be shorter, there would have to be a fifth-year option or something like that. My option."
Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to talk specifics of a possible Rollins deal.
"I think you guys know our policy," Amaro said. "We're not going to have a discussion about our negotiations with Jimmy publicly. I think Jimmy knows exactly where we stand, whether we want him back or not. There's no question we want Jimmy back and be in our uniform and play shortstop for us for the next several years. Whether that happens kind of depends on if we get to the finish line on it. But Jimmy knows where we stand. Those things will be private."
Other quick hits:
-- Amaro does not have a timetable for Ryan Howard's recovery, but does not believe the first baseman will miss more than half of the 2012 season after Achilles surgery. He did admit that Howard's recovery could spill over into the regular season, but the team will not know for sure until after the surgery.
Howard is seeking two more opinions before surgery, but Amaro said all parties are aware of the immediacy required.
He said the injury will not affect his offseason plans.
-- Amaro said he will sign a veteran closer regardless if it's Ryan Madson or not. He is not comfortable filling it internally with a young pitcher. The team's preference is to re-sign Madson, but he could command top dollar on the market. It's a market flush with closers. Other free agents include Jonathan Papelbon, Heath Bell, Matt Capps, Francisco Rodriguez and Joe Nathan.
-- The GM called left field an "open competition" and then effectively annointed John Mayberry Jr. as the starter. He said he could see Mayberry with the majority of at-bats.
"We have a pretty darn good candidate in John Mayberry," Amaro said. "I think John will have a chance to get the bulk of those at-bats. We haven't made decisions on that."
He also said that Domonic Brown needs more seasoning.
"I think he's a guy who has some work to do in left field," Amaro said. "He has some things to work on as far as his hitting goes. We're going to keep our minds open. ... If I had my druthers, I would keep him at triple A and have him get 500 to 600 at-bats there and go from there."
-- Placido Polanco had double sports hernia surgery Tuesday. Amaro endorsed him as the third baseman -- in fact, he said the team needs more hitters with the approach that Polanco has.
Hunter Pence also had hernia surgery.
-- Amaro stressed the need for his offense to change its approach at the plate. He doesn't see adding another major acquisition to help the offense. The onus, he said, is on the current roster.
"The guys that are under contract right now," Amaro said, "if they don't make that adjustment, then we're going to have trouble."
-- Amaro said he has yet to speak to Roy Oswalt's agent. The pitcher has a $16 million option for 2012.
Because of the sheer amount of free agents, Amaro admitted there will be some turnover. But he did not endorse sweeping changes. More tinkering than anything.
"We'll have some changes," Amaro said.
Much, much more to come.
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Absolutely not!!!!! 5 years is way too long to be stuck with a below average hitting shortstop who continues to not run out ground balls. Go be lazy on another team Jimmy.— rolenfan- BYE BYE... thanks for years of service... J-Roll, your numbers have declined every year since 07. You've been hurt every year since 07. Your NOT a lead off hitter— UGHROLF
- I can't really understand why Jimmy has such a high opinion of himself. I just hope the door doesn't hit him on the way out and cause him another one of his fragile injuries. Let him take the same route as Jayson Werth. He needs to play for a loser to make him appreciate where he's been. 5 years is a joke! Rueben should pay him on performance which has been mediocre at best. 3 years is even marginal for a .260 hitter! If he wants a 5 year deal then 5 years for 25M may work...Get over yourself Jimmy, you're not the best in breed here!— Need2Know
- RAJ must already regret the 5 years that he gave Howard. He's unlikely to commit that long to Rollins.
Sign Scuturo for a year and then hand it over to Galvis.— willthethrill11 - Big mistake by the Phils parading Polanco out there in the post season when the hernia problem made it difficult for him to stride when hitting. Had a capable replacement in Valdez. Is far from the dependable hitter Polanco is but Polanco could not hit at all from being hurt. What would have been the difference then between the two playing?— mbishop
Comment removed.- Sure thing, 5 years at 6 mil a year.— bobcitydoc
- The comments I have been reading on these boards for the past three days make me SICK. I have been a Philly fan of all sports since the mid-80's - basically missing out on the last championship this city had until 2008 - I've lived and usually died with the Sixers ('01), Flyers ('96/'10), Phils ('93/'09), and Eagles ('03/'04/'05/'08).
You are complaining about a Phillies team that has WON FIVE STRAIGHT DIVISION TITLES. I would love to know how many of you "fans" were around in the early part of the decade. Would love to hear how many folks went to the Vet and supported this team when the only people in the stands were the Wolfe Pack, Duck Pond, Burrells Girls, and Thomes Homies.
The complaining and whining about Howard/Rollins is disgusting. You go out and find me realistic options for both of them and I'll agree. Reyes - some of you are just delusional. I even saw Pujols name thrown own.
Get a grip or get off the bandwagon - because get what - if you can't gut out these time in addition to the championships - you don't have what it takes to be a Philly fan.— PhillyIllini - So nice to see a posting from someone with a bit of common sense. I can remember back in the early 70's the team was so bad, but yet I always had hope. 1972 was great with the mighty Lefty. Now that was a very bad year for team, great for the best pitcher in Phillies history. (My opinion.)
Yes I am disappointed they didn't go the distant, but next year I will be cheering them on again.— cahris - let maybery platoon with johnny damon be smart ruben sign him 2 a 2 year or 1 year and 2 million dollars go get papa grande and pull one of your tricks again i might b a philly fan but if u can pull out jose reyes were unstopable or get furcal or betencourt and do not what ever you do sign lidge sign madson, raush,capps.nathan,qualls or wood and other ss alex gonzales or scutaro and please trade howard for prospects and get fielder hes made for citzens bank park
— dylan5712 - Don't let the door hit you on the way out Jimmy— GeorgiePorgie68
- Let's see, we can expect him to be on the DL for 1/3rd of the season now and 1/2 as he gets older. So he should expect to have part-time status. Offer him $2 million per year.— 4thand10
- PhillyIllini - AMEN, BROTHER. Howard and Rollins bashers are truly clueless haters, with short memories. Are they perfect? Of course not! But they represent the Heart and Soul of this Phillies generation. I'm with you: they should turn in their Philly Fan Cards.— 5NOT4
- Thank God the season is over so everyone can have their surgery...Doctors will be in demand this off season...— stan the man too
- later, dude.— fishtown charlie
