Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins responded rather defiantly to a report that indicated the team might listen to trade offers for the veteran.
ESPN The Magazine reported that the Phillies might be interested in going in a different direction at the position and would be willing to shop the 35-year-old Rollins, who says he is not anticipating a deal.
“Because I can’t be traded,” Rollins told MLB.com on Wednesday. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t care which way it is tried to be twisted or said, or if it is exactly how it was said, or even if it was said, I can’t be traded. It doesn’t matter. If I was tradeable it may have weight because that means I could be moving soon. But I am not tradeable and so it doesn’t matter.”
Rollins told CSNPhilly.com that he will not waive his no-trade cause. He also has the right to veto any trade.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. disputed the report that Rollins, who has been with the Phillies since 1996, is on the market.
“We have no intention of moving Jimmy,” Amaro said. “We need Jimmy to play for us to win. It’s as simple as that.”
Amaro also told MLB.com, “I don’t have any issues at all with Jimmy.”
Rollins, whose 2,175 career hits are 60 behind franchise leader Mike Schmidt, struggled last season. He batted .252 with six home runs and 39 RBIs in 600 at-bats. He is under contract for $11 million this season.
“Am I coming off a bad year? Yes, that part is true,” Rollins told MLB.com. “I’ve never hid from the truth. That’s OK. They can’t be harder on me than I am on myself. It’s OK, it’s OK, it’s OK. I’m looking forward to a great year.”