Philadelphia Phillies: The Great Debate over Jimmy Rollins

When the clock ticked past the start of free agency, it may have also began the countdown toward the end of the career of a Philadelphia Phillies cornerstone and fan favorite.

With veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins about to test the waters of free agency for the first time in his 11-year career, the front office is facing one of the most difficult decisions in recent memory.

Rollins' value to the team over the past decade has been immeasurable, as he has managed to combine outspoken leadership with confident play on the diamond. Though he has hit his speed bumps with fans and managers over the years, J-Roll has worked his way into the hearts of historically hard-to-please Philadelphians. 

However, the question is not how much to pay the infielder for his services that crowds have flocked to see on a nightly basis.

The debate centers around if the team should even keep him on the payroll next season at the risk of committing to a declining player who relies on his body to fuel his game.

Rollins will be 33 years of age when the 2012 season opens, playing in the first year of a new deal. All that remains to be seen is whether General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will open up his checkbook and reward the loyalty of a Philadelphia mainstay or allow him to chase greener pastures.

There are legitimate reasons on both sides of the argument concerning the future of the face of the Phils. Is Rollins nothing more than an aging athlete falling out his prime, or is he an indispensable piece of a team that is on the cusp of another title?

Should he stay or should he go?

You decide.

Resigning Rollins

If the Phillies believe that they are still the team to beat in the National League, it would be wise to hold on to as many pieces as they can while the championship window is still open. Jimmy Rollins anchored the team through seasons of failure, holding  on long enough to lead the team to success.

It would be a shame to see him depart before their string of dominance comes to an end.

The veteran is reportedly seeking a five-year deal that would pay him consistently into his late 30s, a large commitment to make to any player in this era.

However, after 11 years of laboring for the franchise and vocally leading the team, doesn't Rollins deserve to ride off into the sunset wearing red pinstripes?

If Rollins is cleaning out his locker at Citizens Bank Park for the final time this offseason, he will pack up much of the spirit that makes the Phillies' clubhouse one of the best in the big leagues. After backing up his prediction in 2007 with an MVP season, J-Roll gained a type of respect that is nearly impossible to replicate from his teammates.

On the field, replacing his defensive prowess will not be an easy task through the farm system or free agency. Combine that with a bat capable of doing damage with the long ball or the sacrifice bunt and the speed to back it, and it becomes an even taller order for the front office. 

Perhaps the most unpredictable reason that the Phillies must ink their leadoff man to a new deal is because they do not know where he will end if up they allow him to walk. Growing up by the Bay on the West Coast, the San Francisco Giants could be a potential destination for the free agent.

Can you imagine Rollins returning to Citizens Bank Park for the NLCS as a member of the Giants? It simply doesn't register.

Lastly, at this point, what are the realistic alternatives to replacing the three-time All-Star who has spent more than a decade pouring his heart into the game? Freddy Galvis waits in the minors for an opportunity at shortstop, but there is belief in the organization that he needs more time to develop.

And outside of Jose Reyes, is there really an impact player that the Phillies would be willing to bring in?

Philadelphia has a better ballclub with Rollins at the top of the order and minimizes risk by bringing him back to finish his career. This is his team; let him finish what he started.

Closing the Book on J-Roll

In a move that could define his career as the Phillies' general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to keep his franchise in a position to win now and in the future.

Is overpaying a soon-to-be 33 year-old infielder over the next half decade truly the answer to perpetuating the recent cycle of victory?

Plainly stated, there is a strong possibility that Philadelphia would come to regret extending Jimmy Rollins' tenure on the team when looking at the deal from a fiscal standpoint. Locking a team with an already-inflated payroll into five more years of mediocre production from a declining shortstop on the field may not be worth his presence in the clubhouse. 

It's no secret that, after his magical 2007 MVP season, Rollins has only shown flashes of his full potential. Though he still has his speed in his early 30s, there is a real possibility he will lose a step well before his contract is done, a problem that would jeopardize his career.

Without his quickness, J-Roll's value to the team plummets, as they lose a speedy leadoff man, a menace on the basepaths and defensive stalwart with range.

Despite the plethora of deals that have hit the farm system hard over the past three seasons, Freddy Galvis is seen by some as a prospect who could create an opportunity for himself should Rollins depart.

Inking the 11-year pro would delay the development of the future at the position. Even with the doubts centering around Galvis' readiness, the future may be now for Philadelphia.

Following the precedent set by Amaro Jr. in his negotiations with Jayson Werth, Rollins will most likely receive a fair offer that can be topped by a desperate team willing to bring in a star. In the end, the GM will make the best business decision for team that preserves a reasonable payroll and the chance to win it all.

Rollins stated in a recent interview that he is excited to test the market for the first time in his career and that he understands baseball is a business.

Assuming that fact is not lost on Philadelphia, there's a good chance Rollins has suited up as a member of the Phillies for the final time.