Where for Art Thou Jimmy Rollins?

It is the most popular topic of the day for Phillies fans; What is wrong with Jimmy Rollins? Of course we know that Rollins has continued to excel at the shortstop position so this conversation only concerns his offense, or lack of it.

Rollins has been in the lead-off spot in the lineup for a while now and when he is on target he is the best fit in the spot for this lineup. When Rollins gets on base things happen, good things. It just has not been happening so far in 2009. I will caution you not to get too anxious with Rollins' inability to get on base in 2009 though and to not panic...yet.

Yes, Rollins has a batting average (.195) slightly more than his weight and his on base percentage (.231) is not much better. He has 24 hits this season which puts him on pace for his lowest hit total since playing a full season. What can be done to help him regain a shimmer of his 2007 MVP season, or even his World Baseball Classic performance?

Charlie Manuel has already given Rollins some days off. Perhaps Rollins should sit the first game against the Dodgers tomorrow to give Rollins two days off. You can have him sit and watch video all you want and mess with different bats and take extra batting practice, but at this point who knows what will help.

It is unlikely that Rollins will sit too many games despite his anemic batting average. What can be done is removing him from the lead off spot in the lineup. The way things have been going lately the 8-9-1 spots in the line up have become the "easy spot" of the line up for opposing teams. If those spots are going to continue to be the least of a pitcher's worry, then I propose moving Rollins to the seven spot of the lineup.

Moving Rollins to the seven spot gives the team the same void in the lineup, until Rollins kicks out of this poor offensive play, but takes some pressure off of Rollins to produce in the top spot. There he can not have to worry about setting up the offense, which may cause him to push a little harder, and just take some time to work the count and get some good swings in. If Rollins is successful in the seven spot for about a week's worth of games then you can think about putting him back in the lead-off spot.

My proposed lineup would then be;

1. CF Shane Victorino
2. LF Raul Ibanez
3. 2B Chase Utley
4. 1B Ryan Howard
5. 3B Pedro Feliz
6. RF Jayson Werth
7. SS Jimmy Rollins
8. C Carlos Ruiz
9. Pitcher

Manuel may not be asking me for advice, but if he ever does, this is what I would recommend to him as though he never thought of it himself. What would you do with Rollins?

Also, do not forget to vote in the new poll concerning Rollins' offense. Poll closes next Monday morning.