ESPN Report: Rollins Needs to Lead or Leave

Sources tell ESPN’s Buster Olney that the Phillies organization is fed up with Jimmy Rollins and would like to go in a new direction at shortstop. A source also tells Olney it about the work ethic:

“…sources indicate that some in influential positions in the Phillies’ organization want Rollins to lead, by investing himself more thoroughly in daily work and setting a strong example for others. If Rollins isn’t going to do that, the sentiment of some is that the team would be better off moving him as soon as possible.”

Basically from the time Rollins signed a new contract with the Phillies, he’s had to field questions about lifting his no-trade clause, something he will not do. J-Roll has been quoted as wanting to break Mike Schmidt’s franchise record for hits, and topping other categories as well. If/when broken, the records seem to hold little value within the hearts of the fans as the team has recently been called “terrible” by scouts around baseball.

At the beginning of last season, I asked him if he would speak up more because so many of the other veteran voices were either injured or gone and flat out, he said no. Rollins said that he’s always been this way, so why change now.

Manager Ryne Sandberg benched Rollins for a few games last week, perhaps sending a message to the former MVP. But Sandberg said that wasn’t so, that he’s just monitoring his veterans playing days.