By Tim Kelly, Sports Talk Philly editor 
The Chicago White Sox designated Jimmy Rollins for assignment on June 10 and officially placed him on released waivers on June 15. It appeared at that time that Rollins' days as a starting shortstop were probably over, but that his career would carry on in some capacity. Nearly a month later, it's unclear exactly what Rollins' future is.
Rollins, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, drew interest as a second baseman last off-season when he was a free-agent. It's not entirely clear whether that meant that Rollins would be a starting second baseman or a super-utility piece, though the fact that teams were interested in Rollins at a different position seems to suggest that Rollins could serve as a super-utility piece.
Of course, Rollins, who has won four gold gloves at shortstop, waited out the market, signed a minor league deal with the White Sox and eventually was their Opening Day shortstop. In 41 games, which is a rather small sample size, Rollins posted a negative dWAR, something he had only done one other time since 2001: 2015. He also batted just .221 with a .295 slugging percentage and a .329 slugging percentage, meaning he wasn't particularly valuable in any aspect of the game in his brief time with the White Sox.
Declining metrics over the past few seasons may have suggested that Rollins was no longer an everyday starter, though it's strange that it's been close to a month and there's been little word on Rollins. There hasn't been word on potential suitors, there hasn't been word on what role teams would like him to serve and there hasn't been word on whether he would be open to being a utility player. There hasn't been word on anything, really. There's been no indication that Rollins is mulling whether he wants to retire, though you can't help but wonder given the lack of any news since his release.
It's possible that Rollins will draw more interest during next week's All-Star break and as teams look to add depth prior to the final two full months of the regular season.
What seems clear in this otherwise unclear situation is that Rollins, 37, is very unlikely to be a starter in any situation where he would potentially sign. Again, it's unclear whether Rollins would want to join a contender in a utility role, though given that he put in the work to play in 2016, you would think he would like to at least finish out this season. And Jose Reyes, who has provided little the past few years on the field and been in trouble off of it, signed with the Mets recently to fill a role similar to what Rollins probably would be best to do at this point in his career, so you would think there would be interest in Rollins if he still does intend to play.
The guess here is that Rollins latches on with a contending team to play a super-utility role for the rest of 2016. A team like the Seattle Mariners could potentially make sense for Rollins in that role. It's hard to imagine Rollins continuing to play in that type role after 2016, given how much pride he has, though perhaps he would prefer to do that rather than retire.
The nuggets
- The Colorado Rockies desperately need to re-brand. With the exception of their purple jerseys, their black and grey jerseys are very below average, and they look especially silly wearing tank top jerseys in 2016. It's usually not pretty when teams introduce entire new color schemes (see: Diamondbacks, Arizona), though the Rockies probably could afford to do that and potentially introduce a new logo.
- Aaron Altherr tweeted yesterday that he will be beginning his rehab assignment in the GCL Friday. Altherr, who will join Cornelius Randolph, Mickey Moniak and Jhailyn Ortiz, has 20 days of rehab before the Phillies have to make a decision on him. That means on July 28, the Phillies may have to make a tough decision. All-Star Odubel Herrera won't be going anywhere, nor will Rule-5 pick Tyler Goeddel. Peter Bourjos and Cody Asche, if both are still on the team, won't be sent down either. So if all things remain the same, Jimmy Paredes will likely be designated for assignment. However, if the Phillies feel they will trade one of Asche or Bourjos before the August 1 trade deadline, it's possible they will option Altherr, to avoid potentially losing Paredes if he's designated. It would seem kind of strange to option Altherr, who probably has the second most upside of any outfielder discussed, but it would only be for a few days. Altherr will also have to be re-added to the 40-man roster, meaning the Phillies could have to remove someone like Taylor Featherston if a spot doesn't open up due to a trade in the next 20 days.
- Notice the difference in the bottom right photo. Cameron Rupp looks at home in a cowboy hat. He's from Plano Texas. Cody Asche looks like a kid playing dress-up.
Off to Denver in style! ✈️ pic.twitter.com/61oVQ9d8z6
— Phillies (@Phillies) July 6, 2016
- The MLB's non-waiver trade deadline being on August 1 this year feels like if New Year's Eve was January 1. Something about it is just off.
