Jimmy Rollins to Dodgers: Latest Trade Details, Comments and Reaction

The Philadelphia Phillies have resisted the urge to become sellers long past the sell-buy date for their core players, but that pattern seems to have changed with Jimmy Rollins being dealt to the Dodgers.

Continue for updates.

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Rollins Introduced by Dodgers

Wednesday, January 7

The LA Dodgers introduced Rollins at a press conference on Wednesday:

MLB provides more quotes from Rollins:

JP Hoornstra of the Los Angeles News Group passes along Rollins' take on joining the Dodgers:

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Rollins-to-Dodgers Trade Official

Friday, Dec. 19

The Dodgers made things official on Friday:

Rollins' move to Los Angeles was on hold as the Dodgers worked through issues with sending Matt Kemp to the Padres due to a questionable physical. Now that the deal is done, the Dodgers finally have a shortstop.

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Dodgers Reportedly Agree to Acquire Jimmy Rollins

Wednesday, Dec. 10

ESPN's Buster Olney was the first to report the news.

Rollins is no longer the dynamic do-it-all talent who won an MVP award, like he was in 2007, though the 36-year-old still ranked among the top five shortstops by FanGraphs' wins above replacement in Major League Baseball in 2014 thanks to 17 home runs and above-average defensive value. 

Despite having a batting average of .243 and on-base percentage of .323, Rollins' 17 homers were the fourth most by an MLB shortstop in 2014. He's still an excellent baserunner with 28 stolen bases in 34 attempts and has turned into a more patient hitter with the highest walk rate of his career (10.5 percent).

He also made history for the Phillies during the 2014 season when he singled off Chicago Cubs right-hander Edwin Jackson on June 14 to pass Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on the team's all-time hits list with 2,235. 

While there isn't likely to be a celebration thrown in Philadelphia for trading a player who has spent his entire career with the Phillies, Rollins' departure at this moment is actually a good thing for the franchise. 

The three-time All-Star signed a three-year extension with the Phillies during the winter of 2011 that included an $11 million option for 2015 that automatically kicked in when he reached 1,100 plate appearances between 2013-14. He hit that mark on July 25 against Arizona. 

Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News noted how valuable Rollins was last season thanks to his power-speed combination:

It's notable how Rollins' mindset changed as 2014 went along and it became clear the Phillies weren't going to contend for a playoff spot. The 2007 NL MVP told Todd Zolecki of MLB.com this past season that trade talk didn't bother him because he wouldn't waive his no-trade rights established as a 10-5 player (10 years in the big leagues and at least five with one team). 

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It doesn't matter. I don't care which way it is tried to be twisted or said, or if it is exactly how it was said, or even if it was said -- I can't be traded. It doesn't matter. If I was tradable, it may have weight because that means I could be moving soon. But I am not tradeable, and so it doesn't matter.

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Now, by making this move, the Phillies free up some money and a roster spot to see what the future holds. They also have a future shortstop coming from the minors in the next two years when 2013 first-round pick J.P. Crawford graduates. 

It's been easy to punch the Phillies while they've been down and with Amaro unwilling to look toward the future, despite ample evidence that they haven't been good enough to compete for a playoff spot in years. But this is one instance where the club took a proactive approach. 

By waiting until Rollins was past his prime, Amaro likely hurt the return for Rollins, but at least the club will have more financial flexibility this offseason knowing it won't have that $11 million commitment on the books. 

While the Dodgers had a promising regular season, they fell short in the postseason. They can use Rollins' veteran leadership as they look to turn the corner and become a contender.

Stats via FanGraphs.

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