Jimmy Rollins might leave Philadelphia Phillies, seeking five-year contract – MLB News
After impressing for the Philadelphia Phillies throughout the regular season and then in the playoffs as well, shortstop Jimmy Rollins is no more interested in playing for the only ballclub that he has ever known.
Addressing to a press conference at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Rollins asserted that he will approach his free agency as a ‘businessman’ and if more teams are interested for his services, a ‘bidding war’ might also be a possibility.
Rollins is interested in signing a five-year contract, but given his age, the Phillies are not willing to indulge in such an agreement. The team might offer to sign him again for a fewer years, but Rollins candidly expressed that he was not willing to settle
for anything less than the stated time.
“If I was older, I’d take a shorter term,” Rollins said. “I probably have a good six years left, possibly more, to perform at a high level. I know how to keep myself in shape. I’m looking to get five years. If it’s going to be shorter, it would have to be
a fifth-year option or something like that. My option.”
Almost 33-years-old, a five-year contract will mean binding Rollins to the team till he turns 38. With most of the everyday players in the line-up above 30, barring Hunter Pence, the Phillies might be forced to allow the shortstop sign elsewhere.
National League East rivals Atlanta Braves and NL West stalwarts San Francisco Giants have expressed their desire of signing the shortstop in a bid to strengthen their roster for the next season. It should be noted that the Braves crashed out of the postseason
race on the last day of the regular season, dropping a 10.5 game lead in the Wild Card standings to St. Louis Cardinals. The Giants, on the other hand, were overthrown by Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West crown after injuries plagued the former’s title
defence.
Phillies’ general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted the fact that the team will be adversely affected if Rollins went elsewhere, but at the same time added that it is necessary to inject young blood in the line-up. Amaro hinted at a possible inclusion of
21-year-old sensation Freddy Galvis in place of Rollins, but a final decision is yet to be taken.
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