Is the spring training feud between Jimmy Rollins and Phillies manager Ryne
Sandberg nearing a tipping point?
Rollins was benched on three successive days last week by Sandberg, who has
downplayed any talk of a rift. But ESPN The Magazine’s Buster Olney reports
Tuesday that “there is strong sentiment within the organization that the
Phillies would be better off trading him and establishing a new tone with a new
shortstop.”
Completing a deal for Rollins is another matter, even though there is a
team in Detroit that needs to fill a hole at shortstop following an injury to
Jose Iglesias. But as a veteran of 10 years in the major leagues and five with
the same club, Rollins has full no-trade rights, and he tells Jim Salisbury of
CSNPhilly.com that he has no intention of waiving those rights.
The New York Mets, currently left with the light-hitting Ruben Tejada as
their shortstop, also are looking for an upgrade.
Andy Martino of the New York Daily News says he asked Yankee people if
Rollins might be a fit in the Bronx. "The impression I’ve gotten is that is
would just be too awkward to have a name that big, while Derek Jeter is still
around," Martino writes.
At this point, it looks like Rollins isn’t going anywhere, but maybe the
plot turns if the feud continues to simmer. Extra money has a way of getting
some players to waive those no-trade rights.
If Rollins is indeed shopped, that can’t be good news for free agent
Stephen Drew, whose price could drop further with another shortstop available.
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