The Philadelphia Phillies would love to move shortstop Jimmy Rollins and the $11 million he’s owed in 2015. However, Rollins has ten and five rights, and would need to give his approval for any trade. He already shot down a trade to the Mets and wouldn’t approve a deal to the A’s. Rollins did say he would accept a move to the Yankees, but Phillies GM Ruben Amaro’s demands reportedly scared off Brian Cashman, who acquired Didi Gregorius from the Diamondbacks instead.
However, there’s another team out there that needs a shortstop, and Rollins would reportedly accept a deal there. That team is the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to CBS’s Jon Heyman.
Longtime Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins is said to be willing to consent to be traded to the Dodgers if the teams could work things out. It isn’t known how likely a Rollins deal is with the Dodgers, but a person familiar with the situation said there’s at least some chance it could happen.
Considering the Phillies asked the Yankees for either pitcher Luis Severino or outfielder Aaron Judge, both top prospects, the cost for acquiring Rollins could be high for the Dodgers. However, the Dodgers are also reportedly in the market for Cole Hamels after losing out on Jon Lester. Maybe a Hamels/Rollins package would be enough to entice the Dodgers into giving up more than a mid-level package for an upgrade a shortstop in 2015.
After losing Hanley Ramirez to the Red Sox in free agency, the Dodgers are facing the prospect of starting light-hitting Cuban signee Erisbel Arruebarrena at short. Rollins isn’t the player he once was, but he still did manage to hit .243/.323/.394 with 17 homers, 28 stolen bases, and above average defensive numbers at short for the Phillies in 2014.
[CBS]
