/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30327141/20140228_jla_db1_290.0.jpg)
The Phillies and Jimmy Rollins have had a long run together, and it has been fruitful for both parties so far, but the two sides appear to have hit a rough patch. Manager Ryne Sandberg has gone out of his way to praise Freddy Galvis, Rollins' potential replacement at shortstop, according to CSN Philly's Jim Salisbury.
Rollins, 35, has 10-and-5 rights (ten years of major league service time and five with the same club), so he can control his fate.
from the good phight
With his numbers trailing off as he approaches the end of his career and Galvis coming up behind him, there has been some speculation that the Phillies would be better off without Rollins. However, that's not exclusively their decision to make.
In the past, the former MVP has said he would not waive those rights and allow Philly to trade him. He's just 59 hits shy of Mike Schmidt for the all-time franchise record, and he's mentioned that he'd like to become the team's hits leader.
Even if Rollins waived his 10-and-5 rights, the Phillies might have trouble finding a trade partner. There are a few teams that could benefit from having a veteran shortstop, but Rollins is due $11 million in 2014 and he holds an $11 million option for 2015 that will vest if he gets 534 plate appearances this season (and does not end the year on the disabled list or is deemed healthy for Opening Day 2015 by a mutually agreed upon doctor, pretty simple right?).
Galvis, a .230/.263/.375 hitter, might struggle to replace the humble production that Rollins has produced over the last two seasons. He has hit just .259/.316/.389 in 316 games with 28 home runs and 52 stolen bases. Despite winning the NL Gold Glove at shortstop in 2012, his defensive contributions have less than elite, to put it kindly (last season he posted a -15 DRS and he's been "worth" -30 DRS over the last three seasons).
I'm betting Philadelphia would cut their losses at this point, but they probably won't get a chance.