Veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins signs with Chicago White Sox
GLENDALE, Ariz. - If this was the Jimmy Rollins from, say, a decade ago, Monday's announcement out of Chicago White Sox training camp would have been huge news.
Way back when, Rollins was one of the best players in baseball.
And the former Phillies shortstop was voted National League MVP in 2007 after batting .296 with 20 triples, 30 home runs, 94 RBI and 412 stolen bases.
That was then, and this is now.
Now trying to extend his standout career at 37, Rollins signed a minor-league contract with the Sox and is scheduled to join his new team Thursday.
"The move is appealing to us on a number of levels," general manager Rick Hahn said. "First and foremost, it provides us with another quality option for our infield. It provides us with some veteran depth in that area where we previously did not have it. And it adds to what we feel is a quality mix in the clubhouse as far as a leader.
"He brings energy and a competitive edge each day. We think he's going to be a good fit in our clubhouse. I think he's going to have a positive influence in camp alone on guys like (Tyler) Saladino and Tim Anderson and other young players. We're happy to make the move."
After playing his first 15 seasons with Philadelphia, Rollins was with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year. He posted a sluggish .224/.285/.358 hitting line with 13 homers and 41 RBI in 144 games.
"We're going to find out together," Hahn said when asked if Rollins can still make an impact. "I know he feels great. He had to play through some injuries last year; he has a long history of doing that and perhaps some of those weighed on him a little bit last season. 2014 was a very quality year, consistent with what he did the bulk of his career. We'll find out together exactly where he's at."
If Rollins breaks camp on the White Sox' 25-man roster, he gets a $2 million salary.
With Alexei Ramirez now playing for the San Diego Padres, Saladino entered spring training as the starting shortstop. Anderson, the Sox' top prospect, is expected to take over the job at some point during the season.
Anderson is still waiting in the wings, and he's expected to start the season at Class AAA Charlotte and push his way to the major leagues at some point.
If Rollins has a good spring, he is very likely going to jump in front of the light-hitting Saladino and start at short.
In 68 games with the White Sox last season, mostly at third base, Saladino played standout defense, but his .225/.267/.335 slash line to go with 4 homers and 20 RBI was disappointing.
"The way we view it, and the way we described it to Jimmy, is that we certainly believe in Saladino's upside and his defensive ability," Hahn said. "At the same time, no one is given jobs until they earn jobs.
"So there is certainly the opportunity that Jimmy could find himself playing fairly regularly at short, but he's also going to come in and prepare to be available on more of a utility basis playing multiple positions depending on how things play out."
Hahn said he first started talking with Rollins' camp in December.
A three-time all-star and four-time Gold Glove winner, Rollins also can help the Sox in the clubhouse.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura remembers playing against Rollins.
"He was a pro, even as a young player coming up," Ventura said. "Just the way he played, you knew he was a good player, but I think just the way he carried himself, he's always carried himself with class and played well as well.
"He's definitely been a guy that people look up to and he has been a leader, a hustler. Anything you want to put on it that's positive, he's done it."
• Follow Scot's reports on Twitter@scotgregor.
Rollins at a glance
Jimmy Rollins, who has joined White Sox spring training camp, has played 16 MLB seasons (15 for Philadelphia, 1 for L.A. Dodgers). Here's a look at some key stats for the 2015 season and career of the 37-year-old switch-hitting shortstop:
2015 Career*
BA: .224 .265
OBP: .285 .325
Runs: 71 101
Hits: 116 176
HR: 13 17
RBI: 41 67
Steals: 12 34
Fielding: Rolings ranked fifth among NL shortstops last season with a .983 fielding percentage.
* denotes 162-game average
Source: baseball-reference.com