The lines harden in Rollins negotiations
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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.
Aramis Ramirez may be a good idea, but JR seems to be doing what he can to leave Philly. I suspect that three years with a club option to a fourth (with a low buyout) would be the way for RAJ to go--IF JR and his agent aren't being silly with the salary. (And, by the bye, JR was the best available FA SS BEFORE José Reyes signed--he is cancer in the locker room it seems.)
Don't really like to see JR leaving, but that seems to be what he wants to do!— BEMiller- why would rollins say anything else? he'll hold out for 5, if he doesn't get it, it seems likely the phils three years will be there for a while.— dreinterests
- pack you're bags jimmy!— flphillydude
- Oh, yes, I am tired of these guys talking about "discounts. At the sort of money we're talking, so-called discounts are utterly meaningless. The greatest problem with JR is that he really doesn't fit into a lineup very well. Terrible leadoff hitter. Not nearly the power to be three-six. Not enough controlled contact to be a two. And the sort of money he's demanding prices him out of being a seven or eight!— BEMiller
- Andy Reid at SS.— pedge
- Would love to see Jimmy retire as a Philly, but business is business, and he is replaceable.— dogman5
- 5 years? Hard line? Yea ok. Hit the road Jimmy. see ya. What arrogance. Won't miss mister pop-up. Finish your career in annominity with some bottom of the league team in order to get that 5th year. What a cocky selfish player.— PhillyNH
- You do not want a non productive 38 year old shortstop who is in the twilight of his carrier inflating the payroll. Just ask the Yankees.— athousandgods
- BYE JIMMY-DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT ON IN THE A** ON THE WAY OUT. What a attitude. I want....I want another parade. YOU FAILED. Time for new blood. Your boy Ryan failed in the playoffs. Can't get rid of him. You are a different story. Goodbye....Your legs are shot and I am tired of YOU popping up every time you lead off an inning. Go with a serviceable SS or trade for one. Put the money into A. Ramirez and get some power out of the 3rd basemen spot. Thanks for your years of service Jimmy BUT its TIME to part ways....OLD MAN....— kingofpoker
Rollins is of the mindset that he gave the Phillies a discount before and he's now looking to "get his due" based on past merit. I've got news for you, Jimmie. You probably did leave some money on the table taking that last contract but you're not getting it back at this point. You won a WS and not every player can say that, so I guess the old adage "you win some, you lose some" may apply when it's all set and done.— Sam Crow- Get a solid vet for 1 year, then bring up Galvis. The team is old enough w/o a 35+ year-old SS.— brio
- J Roll (minus the Roll nowadays unless you consider "rolling" a half hearted jog down the first base line after an infield pop up) it's been fun but it's time you signed with the Giants or some other team that values your deteriorating skill set.— PinkstonsStrengthCoach
- 3 years max.........— nuggett
- Hi fielding metrics are not that good. Galvis will have better range (and make more errors). Plus, it would be nice to have Vic leading off. Let him walk.— bobcitydoc
- rollins is bluffing. he knows he'll only get 4 yrs. but he's saying 5 as a negotiating tactic, so when they make an offer, he can counter offer and say "look, i really wanted 5 years. but since you offered 4, how about increasing the cash a bit?"— chadp1234
