Jimmy Rollins Looking for 5 Year Deal

Jimmy Rollins spoke to the media yesterday for the first time since the Philadelphia Phillies were eliminated from the first round of the playoffs.  The discussion hit on all kinds of topics, but reporters generally focused in on Rollins pending free agency.  During the meeting, Rollins made it clear what type of deal he would be looking for either from the Phillies or out on the open market.

Rollins noted how he loves playing in Philadelphia, but that he wants to make the right business decision.  Bringing up recent teammates that he’s watched leave Philadelphia to sign elsewhere, Rollins said that if he were to move on from the Phillies it would be “for money and years and to go to a good team”.

While Rollins wasn’t very specific regarding the money aspect of a future deal, he did make known the number of years he’s looking for.  Rollins told reporters that he’s “got a good six years left of being able to perform at a high level”.  With that being the case, Rollins said that he’s looking for a five year contract.  At a minimum, Rollins wants a four year deal with a fifth year player option.

Rollins believes this to be realistic.  The shortstop admitted that if he were older he’d “take a shorter term” deal.  But, at age 33, Rollins is convinced he has enough left in the tank to warrant a five year deal.

Comparing Phillies fans to family, Rollins did say that if Philadelphia were to extend what he and his agent considered to be a fair offer, returning to the club would be a “no-brainer”.  Rollins enjoys the team that’s been built around him and “the camaraderie” of his fellow players.

Rollins has spent his entire career in a Phillies uniform.  Selected by Philadelphia in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft, Rollins made his debut in 2000 as a 21-year-old.  Over his 12 seasons with the club, Rollins has maintained a line of .272/.329/.432.

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