Philadelphia Phillies sign short-stop Jimmy Rollins for next three years - MLB News
The Philadelphia Phillies have finally agreed to sign veteran short-stop, Jimmy Rollins for next three years and an optional fourth year. The deal was finalised on late Monday evening by an official announcement from the Phillies executives as they told
the media that the current contract with Rollins has signed for worth $33 million with the intention of $11 million vesting decision or a franchise option for $8 million or a player option for $5 million.
Later, Rollins also said in the media, “You have to take everything in consideration when you’ve been somewhere since you were 17, to go somewhere new, at this part of my career, you feel like a rented player because you weren’t part of the process of building
the team up and forward. From the first day I got here in the big leagues, it was about making this team a contender and then a champion. Those things have been accomplished, the champion part not as often as I would’ve liked.”
As the 2011 Major League season ended with the win of St. Louis Cardinals, the Phillies, on the other hand, immediately declined team options on Rollins making him a free agent for next season.
Having neglected by his long time team, Rollins could not convince himself or his agent that he can play for another team as well. Instead, he straightaway told the Phillies management that he is still interested to play with the same franchise where he
played his first game in 2001. Later on, the Phillies management showed respect for his inner desires and gave him another three year contract.
Drafted by the Phillies in 2000, Rollins never played elsewhere in the league and achieved many honours with the Philadelphia Phillies including a three-time All Star selection along with World Series winner, three time Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger
award winner, National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner and two time National League Player of the Week.
He also participated in World Baseball Class All-WBC Team. Last season, Rollins averaged .268 along with 16 home-runs, 63 RBIs and a .338 on-base-percentage that was hugely appreciated by loyal fans of the club.
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