The lines harden in Rollins negotiations
DALLAS — The line was drawn more than a year ago when Ruben Amaro Jr. flatly said he was comfortable with Jimmy Rollins entering 2011 without a new contract. There has been posturing back and forth ever since and it will bubble over at these winter meetings, where the Phillies and Rollins may decide there are no compromises to be made.
The lines harden in Rollins negotiations
Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover
DALLAS — The line was drawn more than a year ago when Ruben Amaro Jr. flatly said he was comfortable with Jimmy Rollins entering 2011 without a new contract. There has been posturing back and forth ever since and it will bubble over at these winter meetings, where the Phillies and Rollins may decide there are no compromises to be made.
Shortly after the season, the 33-year-old Rollins said he wanted a five-year contract. The Phillies, Amaro said, were content to let the market take shape. They want to re-sign Rollins, a priority stated by Amaro ever since the offseason started.
But here in Texas, where emotions can determine roster moves in an electric setting with all of baseball present, there is some doubt about Rollins' future in Philadelphia.
The Phillies met with Dan Lozano, Rollins' agent, late Sunday night. Early Monday morning, rumors circulated the lobby of the Anatole Hilton of the Phillies' interest in third baseman Aramis Ramirez, a free agent. The Palm Beach Post first reported those rumors and FoxSports.com later added that Placido Polanco was being "actively shopped" by the Phillies.
Those rumors, it appears, were a direct effect of the meeting between Amaro and Lozano. While Rollins is the top shortstop remaining on the market after Jose Reyes' six-year, $106 million deal, his known potential suitors are limited. A five-year deal could be a dream, especially considering Reyes is five years younger and signed for six.
But a baseball source who spoke with Rollins said the shortstop is standing firm on his demand. The source said, if anything, the Reyes deal made the Rollins camp believe his value increased.
"I gave the Phillies a discount the first time," Rollins told the source.
Then again, Rollins may not find an option more attractive than the Phillies' offer. Milwaukee is interested in Rollins, but their top priority is re-signing Prince Fielder. Other teams that need shortstops like St. Louis, Atlanta and San Francisco have expressed a desire to fill the position on the cheap.
It's all part of the negotiating process. No one said it would be amicable, and these meetings are proof. The staring contest will continue.
Have a question? Send it to Matt Gelb's Mailbag.
Later Jimmy— shawnmac- i'd go with freddy galvis at SS and spend the money somewhere else. he can't be any worse than kevin stocker, and that team won a pennant
— oliver north - Rollins showed what his best was last year while he was getting ready to become a free agent--excellent fielder, hit for a mediocre average, light power, not a leadoff hitter and injured frequently. Why one year later would he be a good chocie for a 5 or even 4 year deal?— Barneyboy
- All about Jimmy as usual. Time to move on if they are serious about changing the complacent culture that starts with the 'leadoff' diva— seaonasdad
- The last year JRoll was really good was 2007. The falloff since then is dramatic. I think he was on 'roids or HGH back then. He does have a lot of pop in his bat---- as in popup. He can't resist that ball at chin level.— 4thand10
- Jimmy its been great but your not worth 5years.....we'll give you 3 take or leave it....most likely see ya— pcc503
- Man this guy is waaay too old in baseball years. he ain't worth no more than 2 yeasr; maybe 3 tops. I doubt we can get him for that, but to tie up an old war horse (and he keeps looking older and older) and lose out on others, I just can't see it.— Clem
- Jimmy has been a good player for the Phillies but its time to move on...his desire has waned along with his skills and they are on the down side...never was a leadoff hitter ...great glove ...speed is questionable going forward....should not be paid like a top notch ss and definately no more than 3 years ....time to move on...I see another Rowand and werth where some dumb team will be desperate enough to over pay— phillysmart
- For me, there's never been any doubt about his glove (and arm) at shortstop. Jimmy's been one of the very best at his position for a long time. But the offensive numbers have dropped off, the injuries (especially the past 2 seasons) have put a serious dent in his production. For me, I think 5 years is a reach for him at this point in his career. Love to see the Phils re-sign him. But at what price?— doug1834
- Yeah, this stinks as the Phils may actually lose J-Roll, but I'm glad the Phils are sticking to their guns and not going 5 years, as they're already seeing the effects of having mid-30's infielders on the team.— PHLJA22
- It could be time to step back and get solid but not great players...those who make up a great team and not a team of individuals. Too many injuries, strikeouts, lulls in hitting that waste great pitching.— psuwelsh
- Usually when we discuss trades and FA signings on this site and complain about a player the Phillies acquire, we have to remember to consider it in the light of the available options. In this case, that onus is on Rollins. He may think he should get 5 years, he may think there is precedent for him to get 5 years (I don't think there is, Jeter got 4), he may think the Phillies owe him 5 years. But if there is not a team that is willing to give him 5 years, or even 4, he'll have to take the best available option. Rollins better hope he does not burn any bridges here in PHI - it is very much in his interest to at least telegraph to the Brewers that resigning in PHI is an option, or his leverage is completely gone. I'm rambling, but my point is Jimmy does not have a lot of suitors and I continue to think he is worth more to the Phillies than anyone else, and that he will return, although it may be a painful road to get there, and in the end it will take some smoothing over of his ego.— Phils Phan 28
- Agree that more than 3 years is too much, unless the money is low.— mikemaddog
- Agreed. Jimmy has been good for the organization, but it's time to move on. He's asking for too much money and years. Sign Furcal on the cheap for a year or two to man SS until Galvis is ready. Make a move for a good young 3B (Brown, Polanco and Blanton?). Don't know if Aramis Ramirez will be the answer. He seems to take a year off from time to time and he is not spring chicken either. He's in the same boat as Jimmy, at age 33 trying to get his last big contract. He turned down a $16 mil option from the Cubbies. So he won't be cheap.— EL Zorro
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