Jimmy Rollins has spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Rollins has never looked to leave and that longevity helped lead to him earning his 10-and-5 rights this past season, allowing him to veto any trade that might send him out of town, but now that the Phillies are facing what looks to be a slow rebuilding process. While the prospect of changing teams still isn’t high on his list, it now appears as though there are a small handful of teams to which Rollins could approve a trade.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are on that short list, according to Jon Heyman at CBS Sports.
It’s unclear which other teams Rollins might consider. He’s believed to have shot down a chance to go to the New York Mets earlier this offseason. It’s also known that he doesn’t have interest in the Oakland A’s, dating back to rumblings about a fit back at the trade deadline. Heyman notes that Rollins “apparently would have approved” a deal to the New York Yankees earlier this offseason, but the Yankees and Phillies couldn’t match up on the caliber of prospect that would be included in such a deal.
Los Angeles has been searching for a replacement at shortstop since allowing Hanley Ramirez to leave via free agency. There are options, internally, but limited upgrades on the open market – suggesting a trade may be necessary if it’s truly a position they want to make a change at.
Rollins batted .243/.323/.394 in 609 plate appearances this past season. He just turned 36 and will earn $11 million in 2015 before hitting the open market.