Updated: 10:30 p.m.
SAN DIEGO Jimmy Rollins, an iconic Phillie who became the franchises all-time hits leader in the summer of 2014, has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, an industry source told CSNPhilly.com on Wednesday afternoon.
The Phillies have not confirmed the deal. Sources say there is some salary changing hands and that requires approval of the Commissioners office. The Dodgers were also working on a separate deal with the Miami Marlins that may bring them a prospect that could end up with the Phillies.
Several sources confirmed the Rollins deal to CSNPhilly.com, but Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, Weve got nothing to announce, on Wednesday night. A source said the deal could take a day or so to finalize and would ultimately bring the Phillies two minor-league pitchers. Though the Phillies and Dodgers have discussed Chase Utley at times, he is not in the deal, a source said.
Rollins departure signals the start of the Phillies' out-with-the-old-in-with-the-new rebuilding effort and marks the end of an era in Philadelphia sports. He was the longest-tenured pro athlete in the city. He broke into the majors in 2000, when he was just 21. He leaves less than three weeks after his 36th birthday. During his 15 years in red pinstripes, the Phillies went from a last-place club to a five-time NL East champion from 2007 to 2011. Rollins kicked off that run by famously proclaiming the Phillies as the team to beat before the 2007 season. Rollins won NL MVP honors in 2007 and a year later helped the Phillies win the World Series.
Rollins won four Gold Gloves with the Phillies and leaves as the greatest shortstop in franchise history.
Rollins had to waive his no-trade rights to make the deal happen. He had previously been reluctant to do that. The Phillies decision to chart a rebuilding course and the Dodgers contending status surely helped him change his mind. The Phillies finished in last place in the NL East in 2014, just as they did the year Rollins broke into the majors.
Rollins leaves as the franchise's all-time leader in at-bats, hits, doubles and stolen bases. He ranks second in the modern era behind Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt in games, runs, total bases, triples, singles and extra-base hits.
Even in his mid-30s, Rollins is still an excellent defender. He missed just 35 games over the last three seasons and his .716 OPS ranked seventh among major league shortstops in 2014. Last season, for the third time in his career, he led all shortstops with in fielding percentage (.988).
Contractually, Rollins fits in well with the Dodgers. He is owed $11 million for 2015 -- the last year of his contract -- and could serve as a stopgap until Dodgers shortstop prospect Corey Seager is ready for the majors.
Rollins is not the only Phillie on the move. Antonio Bastardo was traded to Pittsburgh for minor-league left-hander Joely Rodriguez, 22.
With Rollins gone, the Phillies are expected to use Freddy Galvis at shortstop. J.P Crawford, the teams top prospect, waits in the wings. Crawford, 19, played in the Florida State League last season and could get to Double A sometime in 2015. He is the teams shortstop of the future.
Source: http://www.csnphilly.com/baseball-philadelphia-phillies/source-phillies-trade-jimmy-rollins-dodgers
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