My guess is, the Phillies would be willing to trade just about everyone right now. And besides, basically everyone on the roster worth anything has popped up in the rumor mill this offseason. Add Jimmy Rollins to that list.
Via Buster Olney on Twitter, the Phillies are “very willing” to move Jimmy Rollins, after a report surfaced they were angling to deal Jonthan Papelbon last week. This wouldn’t be an easy deal, either.
PHI has made clear to other teams, as it did during the summer, that it is very willing to move Jimmy Rollins. Has a no-trade clause, tho.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) December 16, 2013
Rollins, 35, has a full no-trade clause and is coming off one of the worst seasons of his career. Finding a motivated taker for his $11 million guaranteed might be hard to do. Rollins is also likely to achieve an $11 million fourth-year vesting option which goes into effect if he reaches 434 plate appearances this season.
If the final-year option does not vest, the Phillies will then hold an $8 million club option on Rollins. In the event that the Phillies decline that option, Rollins would then have a $5MM player option.
Rollins has made it known in the past that he isn’t willing to go anywhere. A comment he made last season about wanting to stick around in Philadelphia to set team records was part of the motivation; and that rubbed some fans the wrong way.
Last season, Rollins hit .252 – his fifth consecutive season under .270 – with an OBP of .318. His .348 slugging percentage was by far the lowest total of his 13 full seasons in the majors, as was his 0.2 WAR.
Defensively, there are certainly cracks, but Rollins should still be considered an elite shortstop. His arm is strong and while his range isn’t great, he’s among the best.
