Jimmy Rollins is setting the record straight, he is going nowhere. The shortstop has not had the smoothest of spring trainings so far after a falling out with a coach, causing trade rumors to surface around the veteran. With several teams needing a shortstop after injuries, the idea that Rollins would finish his career somewhere other than Philadelphia seemed plausible. Rollins simply laughed at the idea.
Rollins admits he was unfazed by the trade rumor reports that surfaced over the past week. The shortstop has an exclusive no-trade clause in his contract, meaning he has the rights to veto any potential move from the Phillies. After being drafted to the franchise in 1996, Rollins said he will not leave until he becomes the franchise's leader in hits. Currently, the veteran is 60 shy of the record set by Mike Schmidt. So if there was any thought that Rollins might be on the move, think again.
"Because I can't be traded," Rollins said, via MLB.com. "It doesn't matter. I don't care which way it is tried to be twisted or said, or if it is exactly how it was said, or even if it was said, I can't be traded. It doesn't matter. If I was tradable it may have weight because that means I could be moving soon. But I am not tradable and so it doesn't matter."
ESPN's Buster Olney originally reported that after an argument and benching with a coach, the Phillies were preparing to move on from Rollins. The team reportedly sent the veteran the message of step up as a leader or leave. Olney said the team was eager to set a new tone at the shortstop position. However, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. denies the idea that Rollins is headed elsewhere, stating the only way the Phillies would win was with the shortstop on the roster.
"Absolute silliness," Amaro said. "Jimmy Rollins is our shortstop. One of the ways we're going to be able to win is with Jimmy being Jimmy. We have no intention of moving Jimmy. We need Jimmy to play for us to win. It's as simple as that."
If a trade ends up happening, the New York Mets could be interested. Current starter Ruben Tejada was scratched from a spring training game due to elbow pain. That does not help his already shaky status with the team. If the Mets opt to make a move, Rollins would be the top target. Rollins would have to give his permission for the move, which would never happen.
