Editorials

Dodgers Officially Acquire Rollins In Exchange For Eflin, Windle

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

When Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi met with media on the second day of Winter Meetings, he touched on the team’s reported shopping of Dee Gordon and the possibility of them acquiring a shortstop before the week was over.

By the following afternoon, the Dodgers had a trade in place for Jimmy Rollins, who waived his no-trade clause to join Los Angeles. However, as the following hours and days unfolded, it became apparent trading for Rollins would come after the Dodgers and San Diego Padres completed their deal.



That of course morphed into a saga of its own before finally being completed Thursday night. On Friday morning, the Dodgers officially announced they acquired Rollins and cash considerations in exchange for Minor League pitchers Zach Eflin and Tom Windle.

The Dodgers received Eflin from the Padres and he now joins the growing list of players who’s time with the Dodgers this offseason didn’t last much longer than a cup of coffee.

When Zaidi discussed the Dodgers’ need to land a shortstop, he also mentioned looking for a player that would provide flexibility given Corey Seager’s forthcoming arrival. Rollins, 36, is in the final year of his contract and will earn $11 million next season. With 2015 being the final year remaining on his contract, Rollins won’t block Seager’s rise to the Majors.

In 15 seasons, Rollins has played 18,080.1 of a career 18,080.2 innings at shortstop; the remaining 0.1 inning came at second base in 2002. For as much attention as the Kemp trade has drawn given his time spent with the Dodgers, Rollins leaving the Phillies marks the end of an era.

The 36-year-old shortstop was a cornerstone in Philadelphia and he leaves the organization first in hits (2,306) and doubles (479), second in stolen bases (453) and games played (2,090) and third in runs scored (1,325).

Acquiring Rollins completes the Dodgers’ makeover along Howie Kendrick who replaces Dee Gordon at second base. It also leaves the Dodgers with three infielders (Kendrick, Rollins, Juan Uribe) who will become free agents after the 2015 season.

The Dodgers designated Kyle Jensen for assignment in order to make room for Rollins on the 40-man roster.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

5 Comments

  1. The geriatric infield. Pass out the Depends they’re gonna need them. Go Dodger Blue….hair!

  2. So…. How did the Dodgers get younger in these deals?? I thought that was a goal of the front office/ownership…

    1. Look at every deal they’ve done to add depth and youth to the entire organzation. In fact these deals also make them younger in 2016 as they will be replacing the entire infield (except Gonzalez and possibly re-signing Kendrick).

      You guys focus solely on the starting lineup. Like Coletti did. These guys focus on the entire organization.

      1. replace the “entire” infield oops you add except Gonzales how about another oops Uribe. Also in 2016 the Doyers could have to replace 3 of the 4 infield spots again (Contracts up after 2015 for Uribe,Kendrick, and Rollins)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button