Dodgers’ Former Shortstop Signs with the White Sox

Monday morning, it was announced that former Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins has agreed to a minor league deal with the White Sox.

It looks like Jimmy Rollins will be at Camelback Ranch yet again, but this time with the Chicago White Sox as his new home. It was reported this morning that he agreed to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to spring training with the White Sox. The news broke on Twitter by Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago.

After spending 15 major league seasons with the Philadephia Phillies, this is Rollins second team in just two years. He was traded to the Dodgers on December 19, 2014. Rollins had a no trade clause within his contract, but he waived that in order to go to the Dodgers. He said he felt like it was a good fit for him and it allowed him to be in a leadership position with the team.

Rollins first game with the Dodgers was opening day against the San Diego Padres on April 6, 2015. During that game he hit a three run homerun off of Shawn Kelly that propelled the team to a 6-3 win over the Padres.

Even though Rollins is 37 years old, there is no denying his impressive career. Rollins is a four time Gold Glove winner, World Series Champion in 2008, National League MVP in 2007, a three time All-Star, the National League Stolen Base leader in 2001 and member of the 20-20-20 club. No one else has joined the 20-20-20 club since Rollins in 2007, but 20 doubles, 20 triples and 20 homeruns in the same season is so rare that only seven players belong to the club. Rollins is currently just 78 hits short of reaching 2,500 career hits. That is an accomplishment that only 98 major league players have ever accomplished. He also has played in 2,192 games at shortstop which puts him in eighth of all time at the position, just 110 games behind the fifth place shortstop, Cal Ripken Jr.

Last season Rollins played in 144 games for the Dodgers and had a BA of .224 with 13 homeruns and 24 doubles. Within those 144 games, Rollins started 128 of them at the shortstop position. These numbers were not like the Jimmy Rollins that played for the Phillies. He set records for career lows in multiple categories such as, batting average, on-base percentage and OPS.

Since Rollins was on the decline, when the Dodgers called up Corey Seager in September, he got most of the starts at shortstop. Rollins signing with the White Sox speaks volumes of the Dodgers confidence in Seager. Though it has been assumed that Seager is going to be the starting shortstop come opening day this season, the club has neither confirmed nor denied it. Last season, Rollins mentored Seager and taught him a lot. At one point in time, Rollins was essentially Seager’s backup at the position. Now the Dodgers are walking into a new season with a rookie shortstop that they seem to have enough confidence in that Rollins is no longer needed.

The general manager of the Chicago White Sox in a press conference said:

"“We envision Jimmy contributing both on and off the field. He provides us with another quality infield option with the potential to play a variety of roles, as well as another significant positive presence inside our clubhouse.”"

Once again, another team has found value in Rollins for his leadership ability and personality both on and off the field.

According to Ken Rosenthal and his source, Rollins was approached by two other teams who offered him utility roles with more money, but it is clear that the competitor in Rollins wants to earn a starting shortstop job with the Chicago White Sox.

Rollins has that chance with the White Sox since they lost Alexei Ramirez to the San Diego Padres this offseason.

Also according to Dan Hayes, Tyler Saladino has a chance to win the starting shortstop job depending on how he preforms in spring training. If Rollins makes the big league club, he will earn two million in salary. 

Without Rollins in the mix, it only proves further that the Dodgers believe Corey Seager can handle the position day in and day out essential by himself.