Report: Dodgers close to deal to acquire SS Jimmy Rollins from Phillies
The Los Angeles Dodgers are close to a deal to acquire shortstop Jimmy Rollins from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to multiple reports.
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the trade has been agreed to but needs to be approved by the commissioner's office. The deal would send Rollins and cash to the Dodgers in exchange for two minor league pitchers, according to Heyman and Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com.
Salisbury initially reported Wednesday that Rollins going to the Dodgers was a "done deal," which several other reports confirmed. But Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports then reported the trade was close to completion but hadn't been finalized, with the teams yet to agree on all the players involved.
Salisbury had reported earlier Wednesday that trade discussions between the two teams were "ongoing." The Dodgers had a need at shortstop after Hanley Ramirezsigned with the Boston Red Sox last month.
Rollins, 36, has spent his entire 15-year career with the Phillies, who initially selected him in the second round of the 1996 MLB draft.
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With Philadelphia's recent struggles -- the team hasn't made the playoffs since 2011 -- there have been questions as to whether the organization would decide to rebuild and trade away some of its core players, including Rollins, first baseman Ryan Howard and starting pitcher Cole Hamels.
Rollins has a full no-trade clause, which was believed to be a possible impediment to a trade involving the shortstop, but it appears he was willing to waive the clause to go to a contender such as the Dodgers.
Rollins has had a decorated career with Philadelphia, making three All-Star teams, winning four Gold Gloves and the 2007 National League MVP award and helping the team win the World Series in 2008 and another NL pennant in 2009. He hit .243 with a .717 OPS, 17 home runs and 55 RBI last season.
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The Phillies went 73-89 last season and finished in last place in the NL East, their worst divisional finish since 2000. The Dodgers went 94-68 and won the NL West for the second straight year, losing in the NLDS to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- Ben Estes
