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| Jimmy Rollins potential trade target? Photo credit: Ron Cortes/Daily News |
The Phillies have had anything but a smooth season so far. They currently sit in dead last in the National League East with a 29-37 record, a record that is fifth worst in all of major league baseball. This underwhelming first two and a half months has triggered rumors of the organization going into a full rebuild mode at some time and point. Jimmy Rollins though, begs to differ on that notion.
By: Michael Hanley
Jimmy Rollins has not indicated whatsoever that he is willingly wanting to leave Philadelphia and the Phillies organization. He just became the franchise's all time hits leader on Saturday, a mark that for all intensive purposes will stand the test if time. Its a mark that will only strengthen the image and legacy of Rollin’s in the organizations and fan’s point of view. It also will be an accomplishment that the shortstop can hang his hat on and only increases the already strong relationship between himself and the franchise and city itself.
He also has an opportunity that is very rare for players to have the chance to do in this era of players constantly moving onto new teams: playing with one team for an entire career. Those players of the past who have been stars and stayed with one team have gone onto be revered for years and years and have a lasting positive legacy with fans and the organizations they played for.
There is no question that the Phillies would celebrate his career whenever it comes to a close with all sorts of ceremonies and honors for him. It would make Rollins even that much more memorable in Philadelphia sports history should he decide to be a Phillie for the rest of his career.
In recent days though, Rollins has sounded like he is starting to warm up to a possible trade as the team continues to underachieve as a whole, but it would take a special circumstance for that to move to a real potential. Here is what he said to reporters on Saturday afternoon (via ESPN):
"It really depends if everything is blown up," Rollins told reporters. "Then you take that into consideration. If they blow everything up, then of course."
"Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that right now," the shortstop told reporters. "But if that time does come, and it's time to go ... people move on.
"We have six weeks. We can make it difficult on (GM Ruben Amaro Jr.). The division hasn't gotten away from us at all yet. Hopefully we have a little magic left."
That to me sounds like a man determined to stick with the team and try to figure out a way to right this ship more than looking to pack his bags and left town for a contender. Now of course he would be open to a trade if the organization decides to completely start from scratch, few players would argue that. The Phillies though, have given no indication that a rebuild is about to start around the corner.
They are in last place in their division but are only 5.5 games behind the first place Nationals and Braves, hardly an impossible mountain to climb. It takes only one hot stretch for them to get right back into the mix for the division crown. The situation that is helping them stay in it is that the NL East is in a down cycle all the way around. There is no clear cut, runaway team that will just put this division title to bed early like Atlanta did last season.
This will be a division race all the way down to the end of the season if the teams stay true to form. That is why Philadelphia is thinking there is a chance they can make some noise still and possibly add at the trade deadline instead of subtract.
Rollins is having a very solid season for himself so far. He coming into today is batting .249 with 8 home runs and 26 runs batted in. That is also complimented with his 11 stolen bases and 9 doubles he has hit, great production from that position of shortstop. Many teams no doubt would love to have his services for the rest of this season and help them make a push to the postseason. One thing that could complicate any trade for him is his 10 and 5 no trade protection. This protection means that Rollins can veto any deal that he is not comfortable with.
So while rumors continue to swirl about the Phillies potential future plans and Rollin’s possible future team destination, they will continue to put in the work and try to figure out a way to turn around this disappointing season and keep the hope alive of being a contender in the months to come.
