Editorials

Dodgers Rumors: Jimmy Rollins Would Waive No-Trade Clause

Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
With a hole at shortstop and the free agent market thin on options, the Los Angeles Dodgers may look to address their need via trade. A common name the Dodgers have been linked to is Alexei Ramirez, with the team reportedly calling on the shortstop prior to Hanley Ramirez signing with the Boston Red Sox.

Given the current state of the Philadelphia Phillies, Jimmy Rollins is another candidate whom the Dodgers may target. While moving Rollins may not be the easiest of feats given his no-trade clause, co-host of Dodger Talk David Vassegh reports the shortstop would waive in a trade to the Dodgers:



The Phillies and New York Yankees are believed to have held trade talks on Rollins, which implies he also would’ve waived the no-trade clause to join New York. However, the Yankees’ acquisition of Didi Gregorius has all but eliminated a trade from taking place.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the New York Mets are among a group of teams Rollins would not approve a trade to:

The Phillies have told the Mets and some other teams that Rollins isn’t willing to waive his no-trade clause at this time, scuttling any chance for a trade involving the Mets and those other teams.

Although the Dodgers need to address the shortstop position, they also find themselves in a situation where a long-term commitment is unlikely given Corey Seager’s presence. Similar to trading for Alexei Ramirez, Rollins could prove a viable bridge to Seager.

At 36 years old, Rollins has one year at $11 million remaining on his salary. Although Rollins appeared in 138 games last season — his lowest total since 2011 — he’s played in a minimum of 138 games in each of the last four seasons.

Rollins batted just .243 in 2014, but his .323 on-base percentage was his highest mark since 2011 and .394 slugging percentage was his highest since 2012. After posting a -2.7 UZR in 2013, Rollins improved to 3.6 last season.

While Rollins would fill a need for the Dodgers, how likely they are to complete a trade with the Phillies for just the shortstop is unclear. The Dodgers are believed to be one of the teams vying for Jon Lester and if they were to lose out on the left-hander, they may turn their sights to a package deal for Rollins and Cole Hamels.

Staff Writer

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2 Comments

  1. Actually, a package deal of Rollins and Hamels makes some sense. Save Phillies a boatload of money. Would likely cost something like Pederson. Van Slyke and Z. Lee.

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