Free Agent Signing – Jimmy Rollins

The Philadelphia Phillies finally agreed to a deal with their longstanding shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins wanted a 5 year deal, the Phillies said they could only give him a 3 year deal. So, of course, after all this wasted time, watching several other lesser shortstops sign with other teams, they agreed to the middle ground and what amounts to a 4 year contract. The contract is a guaranteed 3 years for $33 million, with a 4^th vested year worth $11 million. Rumor has it that the vesting 4^th year is easily attainable for Rollins, basically he just has to stay relatively healthy for it to kick in.

So why all the angst over getting this deal done? Why did it take so long? After all, Rollins told the world he didn’t want to go anywhere else. Rollins has played his entire career with the Phillies and they are built to win now, so why would he? The Phillies said they wanted him back but couldn't afford him, especially for 5 years?! Very weird after all the money they have thrown around the past several years. Even this off-season they paid out a huge contract for their new closer, when many critics said they could have gotten a better deal.

You have to wonder about the Phillies organization sometimes. They definitely target solid players and are a winning team, but they seem to keep overpaying their players above market value. At some point you have to think that will catch up with them. In the off-season of the closer, they easily overpaid for their closer. They could have probably gotten Jonathan Papelbon at a much lower rate (or even Ryan Madson, who is STILL out there). They easily overpaid for Cliff Lee, someone who admittedly wanted to actually pitch for them! Cliff Lee will earn $21.5 in 2012 and $25 mil 2013 through 2015. They are paying Chase Utley some $15 mil a season, on a 7 year contract that was well above the going rate. And please don't get me started on Raul Ibanez' contract!

As for Rollins, they paid him what amounts to $11 million per year, but who exactly at this point were they bidding against? All the teams that could afford him at this time have a shortstop. All the teams who have been looking for a shortstop have signed one; Jose Reyes signed a 7 year/$106 mil deal with the Miami Marlins. Alex Gonzalez signed what will probably vest to be a 2 year deal for $8.25 mil total with the Milwaukee Brewers. Rafael Furcal signed a 2 year/$14 mil deal with the St Louis Cardinals. Clint Barmes signed a 2 year/$10.5 mil deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. With no real market for Rollins couldn’t the Phillies have gotten a better deal? Seems to me they easily could have. Would it have been considered playing hardball with one of their mainstay players? Perhaps, but let’s take a closer look at Jimmy’s stats to see…

2011 – 142 GP, 567 AB, 87 R, 16 HR, 63 RBI, 30 SB, .268 Avg, .736 OPS

2010 – 88 GP, 350 AB, 48 R, 8 HR, 41 RBI, 17 SB, .243 Avg, .694 OPS

2009 – 155 GP, 672 AB, 100 R, 21 HR, 77 RBI, 31 SB, .250 Avg, .719 OPS

Last year, of the 20 qualifying shortstops, Rollins was; 4^th in runs, 5^th in homers, 8^th in RBI’s, 4^th in stolen bases, 13^th in batting average and a VERY telling 11^th in OPS. Next year his $11 million salary will be the 3rd highest for shortstops, behind only Derek Jeter and Hanley Ramirez (Troy Tulowitzki and Jose Reyes’ big money don’t kick in for a couple of years).

As you can see, Rollins is not the offensive force many think he is, and the Phillies are seriously overpaying him! He did have a spectacular 2007 MVP season, but that one season obviously was way above his normal level. Rollins has never been a great on base guy (lifetime .329 OBP), so his being the leadoff hitter for the Phillies has never really made much sense. Rollins has also been bitten by the injury bug the past couple of seasons, not something you are looking for in a 33 year old shortstop. Especially if you are signing him up for the next 4 years!

It’s not all completely negative news for the Phillies as the 33 year old Rollins does keep himself in great shape. If he can stay healthy and on the field, he is still a very solid defender. Also, Rollins still hasn’t slowed down much on the base paths and still can be counted on for 30 stolen bases. I am all for organizations keeping players for their entire careers. Sadly, it really happens so rarely anymore. But with all the factors examined, the Phillies are not going to get their money’s worth with Rollins and the next 4 years. Not even close!