Philadelphia Phillies: All Business for Ruben Amaro, Jr. in Jimmy Rollins Talks

The World Series is coming to an end, closing the book on another thrilling year of MLB action. For the Philadelphia Phillies and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., focus between the lines on the diamond ended prematurely for the third straight season, sending the organization to a winter of decisions.

When the final pitch is thrown by the new champions later this week, baseball will finally heat back up in the City of Brotherly Love.

While the tough calls made by the front office pales in comparison to another parade down Broad Street, fans will slowly shift the spotlight back to a franchise that could have a different face on Opening Day in 2012. Though there will be no personnel overhaul, the tweaks made over the winter will determine how long this club’s championship window will remain open.

Last winter, Amaro, Jr. made his stern, business-like approach known in allowing Jayson Werth to walk to the Washington Nationals. This offseason appears to be no different, as the Phillies GM has declined expensive options on veteran pitchers Roy Oswalt and Brad Lidge.

There is a slim chance that either ex-Astros star could return at a reduced rate, but the Phillies have made it clear that the best deals are the ones to be made in the coming months. Whether their starting shortstop is among a deal that falls within the best interest of the organization, however, remains to be seen.

With his contract up, Jimmy Rollins is seeking a deal that would span the next five seasons at a rather high pay grade. For a player that relies much on his speed for both offense and defense, with such a contract, Rollins would be a risk in the latter half of the deal.

What makes the situation so intriguing is how a young GM will approach an aging franchise cornerstone that is refusing to play for a hometown discount. Will Amaro, Jr. crack under the overwhelming pressure out of loyalty, or can he resist the temptation of risking the next five years on an infielder that seems to be a known quantity?

Negotiations are expected to start in the coming weeks and will provide the city with a dynamic, day-to-day stream of news.

Rollins is, without a doubt, a polarizing figure in the city. The outspoken shortstop has encountered his share of both praise and reproach over his 11-year stay since joining the league as a speedy young prospect.

As much as it depends on how steep the price is on the soon-to-be free agent, the farm system will come into play as the Phillies make their final decision. Seemingly waiting in the wings for a chance at the major league level is Freddy Galvis, the Phillies’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2011.

Galvis, a 21-year-old prospect from Venezuela, hit .298 last season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and could be the next long-term solution in Philadelphia’s infield. However, the organization remains split on whether Galvis is ready to make the jump to the big leagues, leaving room for a continued stay in the farm system.

There are many factors in play for the Phillies when it comes to making a decision on their clubhouse leader. It seems as though the team could use a player to bridge the gap between Rollins and a newly developed product, but that may not be an option given their aging roster.

Approaching decision day, fans can be sure that Amaro, Jr. will field the best shortstop for his team when the 2012 campaign opens, as long as the price is right. Loyalty only counts for so much in the checkbook held by a man who has never been afraid to shake up the roster to improve the team.

Rollins has made it very clear that "business is business" heading into offseason negotiations. He may need to prove how strongly he believes that when he sits across from a stone-faced general manager at Citizens Bank Park this winter.