Dodgers News: Rollins Doesn’t Feel Competition From Seager At Shortstop

When the Los Angeles Dodgers traded for Jimmy Rollins and his one-year contract, the club’s intentions seemed to clear up for the fans — Corey Seager is on his way and Rollins was a bridge to the prospect’s arrival.

Seager, who was ranked as the No. 7 prospect in professional baseball by BaseballProspectus.com, has been on a tear since being called up to Triple-A, recently going 6-for-6 in a game and coming up a triple shy of hitting for the cycle.

With mounting pressure for Seager’s arrival to come sooner rather than later, the veteran Rollins doesn’t believe he’s locked in a competition with the 21 year old, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:

Ten years ago? Yeah. That would have been different. It would have been more of a competition to me. It’s definitely less of a competition. Eventually, it’s going to be his spot. It’s hard to use the word, ‘inevitable’ in sports, but that’s the natural progression.”

Rollins added his focus is on helping the Dodgers in present time and not down the line, when the reins may be handed over to Seager:

My job isn’t to throw him off track — that’s impossible. He’s doing his thing. He’s going to get his shot. My job is to help this team win at this very moment. I can’t worry about the future.”

After a hitting a go-ahead home run on Opening Day, Rollins’ first season in Los Angeles has gone south. He’s struggled at the plate, though did manage to put together a modest six-game hitting streak that was snapped Saturday.

Along with his hitting streak coming to an end Saturday, it was the first game since 2004 that Rollins started and batted eighth in the lineup; he again hit eighth in the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday.

While Rollins has been subpar with the bat, he’s provided a relatively steady glove at short and maintained a positive mindset through his ups and downs.

Jimmy Rollins Discusses Leadership And Desire To Win Another World Series