Jimmy Rollins: Is the Phillies SS Going to Have a Big Second Half of the Season?

Money can motivate human beings to do many different things, especially when you are a professional athlete and millions of dollars are on the line.

This could be the case for Jimmy Rollins, who has played improved baseball as of late.

Rollins is due for a new contract at the end of the season when he will become a free agent. He is currently the sixth-highest-paid player on the Phillies roster with a price tag of $8.5 million.

With 65 games remaining, he will be trying his best to show he's worthy of a new deal. Since returning from the All-Star break, he has shown glimpses of his MVP form and should have Phillies fans excited for what may come for the remainder of the season.

In the Phillies 9-1 win and series-clincher against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, Rollins came up big, going 3-for-5 with a double, two home runs, three RBI and four runs scored. In six games since the All-Star break, Rollins has hit three home runs, driven in 11 runs and scored eight runs, resulting in the Phillies going 4-2. 

Since July 4 (11 games), he has hit even better with an average of .431 (22-for-51) with four home runs, eight RBI and 13 runs scored. Rollins has remained healthy this season, which only means positive things for the Phillies.

At this point in the season, he is hitting .277 (best since '08) to compliment an on-base percentage of .344 (best since '08) and slugging percentage of .410.  Rollins also has 42 RBI, 60 runs scored and 11 home runs.   

Charlie Manuel has sporadically shuffled the lineup from time to time this year, but now has Rollins back in the leadoff spot. It seems as if Rollins is beginning to find his groove and could be cashing in in the end. 

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