Jimmy Rollins Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation Surrounding Phillies Star

Updates from Sunday, July 20

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports the Phillies' current stance on a potential trade involving Jimmy Rollins this Summer:

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The Phillies are in listen mode on Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels, but Utley and Rollins have full no-trade rights and Hamels is more likely to stay as a building block. 

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Original Text

Jimmy Rollins has spent his entire career with the Philadelphia Phillies, winning an MVP in 2007 and World Series title in 2008 with the team. But now it appears Rollins has softened his stance on finishing his career with the Phillies. 

ESPN has more:

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Rollins, who passed Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt atop Philadelphia's hit list Saturday, told reporters that he would consider waiving his no-trade rights if the last-place Phillies "blow everything up."

'It really depends if everything is blown up,' Rollins told reporters. 'Then you take that into consideration. If they blow everything up, then of course.'

Rollins, who can veto any trade proposal as a 10-and-5 player, firmly stated in March that he would not waive that right, citing Schmidt's franchise hits record as one of the reasons he wanted to remain with the Phillies. The 15-year veteran reached that milestone in the fifth inning Saturday against the Chicago Cubs, lacing a single to right field for his 2,235th career hit.

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Here is Rollins setting that record.

With the Phillies 30-38 and in last place in the NL East, it seems possible the team could blow up the roster and trade several veteran trade chips, including Rollins and Chase Utley. While it would be hard for many in Philadelphia to see such beloved veterans go, there is also the prevailing feeling that the team needs to be blown up and rebuilt. 

Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer has more on that front:

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The scout and the executive agreed that second baseman Chase Utley and shortstop Jimmy Rollins are the Phillies' most valuable trade pieces because they are healthy, playing well, and have reasonable contracts beyond this season.

'I would say those are the two guys right now that you're going to get the most back for,' the scout said. 'They are both battle-tested players with playoff experience and I think they would really thrive in a playoff environment.'

The executive agreed that Utley and Rollins have value, but he said their advanced age and Utley's past knee problems will raise concerns.

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One place you can probably rule out for Rollins, however, is Detroit, according to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports:

While Rollins is no longer the player he was in his prime—he's currently hitting .247 with eight home runs, 26 RBI and 11 stolen bases, hardly elite numbers—he still can field his position with the best of them, and his experience is certainly valuable. 

It won't be easy for Philly to say goodbye, however. Rollins was a key figure in the incredible era for the Phillies from 2007-11 that included five straight NL East titles, a World Series title, two straight trips to the World Series and three straight trips to the NLCS between, which has now drawn to a close. 

But all good things must come to an end. And with Rollins' recent acknowledgment that he would likely allow a trade if the Phillies "blow everything up," it seems he's come to terms with that fact.