After a 16-year MLB career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers at shortstop, free agent Jimmy Rollins may have to switch positions if he wants to continue to be an everyday player.
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Rollins Open to Move to Second Base
Saturday, Jan. 9
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports (via Randy Miller of NJ.com) wrote that Rollins, 37, and 578 hits shy of 3,000, would consider a move to the right side of the infield.
“Rollins (is) open to idea, but waiting to see if (shortstop) opportunities develop.”
That makes sense considering he is a four-time Gold Glove winner at shortstop, and old habits die hard.
However, long baseball careers are made from transitioning to a position that is a better fit as the player gets older, such as a catcher moving to first base or an American League player becoming solely a designated hitter.
His only season in Los Angeles last year was one of his worst. He hit a career-low .224 in 144 games with just 13 home runs and 41 RBI.
His 12 stolen bases were the fewest since he played just 14 games his rookie season.
Miller reported the Los Angeles Angels have shown interest in Rollins as an upgrade to their current second baseman, Johnny Giavotella, but wondered if it would even be an upgrade after he hit .272 with four home runs with the Angels in 2015.
Rollins can certainly bring leadership to a team in need, but his range and arm can’t be the same they were when he was in his 20s, so holding out for a starting job on a contending team at shortstop could be fruitless.
His best bet is to go to a contender who can use him as an everyday second baseman, or utility player, as he makes a push for 3,000 hits.
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