The Phillies all-time leader in hits, Jimmy Rollins, has found a new home for the 2016 season. The 16-year veteran has reportedly agreed to a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training with the Chicago White Sox.
#WhiteSox have agreed to terms with infielder Jimmy Rollins on a minor-league deal w/ an invite to camp.
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) February 22, 2016
Hayes later reports that Rollins will earn $2 million if he makes the team out of camp.
Rollins, 37, was one of the first members of the older Phillies core that was shipped out when the team began their rebuilding process. On December 19th of 2014, the Phillies traded Rollins to the Dodgers for minor league pitchers Zach Eflin, who could break the Phillies rotation late in the season, and Tom Windle, who has transitioned to the bullpen in the minor leagues after having a tough time finding success as a starter. According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, Rollins turned down two deals worth more money that would have had him in a "super-utility" role. One of those teams may have been the Giants, Rosenthal tweets, but instead, he chose an opportunity to win a starting job with the White Sox.
Rollins, per source, rejected 2 teams that offered super-utility jobs and guaranteed deals for more $. Wanted chance to win SS job with CWS.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 22, 2016
Jimmy Rollins has a very good chance at not only making the White Sox, but becoming their every day shortstop. As of now, second-year player Tyler Saladino is tabbed as the starter for Chicago, but with only 254 plate-appearances, it isn't set in stone that he will break camp as the guy at short.
Last season with the Dodgers, Rollins hit just .224/.285/.358 with 24 doubles and three triples but still managed to hit 13 home runs in 144 games. In his 15 seasons with the Phillies, J-Roll averaged .267 and finished his career in red pinstripes as the all-time leader in hits with 2,306. He earned the National League MVP award in 2007 after hitting .296 with 38 doubles, 20 triples, 30 homers, 94 RBI's and 41 steals. Rollins is also a three-time All-Star.
The Phillies selected Rollins in the second round of the second round of the 1996 draft.
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
