Advertisement

Los Angeles Dodgers complete trade for Rollins

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies have finalized their agreed-upon trade that sends former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins to the West Coast for a pair of minor league pitching prospects.

Rollins, the 2007 NL MVP and the Phillies' all-time hits leader, heads to Los Angeles in exchange for right-hander Zach Eflin and lefty Tom Windle. Philadelphia is also sending the Dodgers an undisclosed amount of cash to help cover Rollins' $11 million salary for this coming season.

Advertisement

The two teams have had the parameters of the deal in place since last week's Winter Meetings, but it was held up because of a delay in the trade between the Dodgers and San Diego involving slugger Matt Kemp.

Eflin, a Padres farmhand, was part of the package Los Angeles received in the Kemp deal, which was finally completed Thursday after an issue regarding Kemp's physical was resolved.

Rollins turned 36 years old last month but remains a capable all-around shortstop. The three-time All-Star hit 17 home runs and stole 28 bases in 138 games last season, finishing the year with a .243 average and 55 RBI.

Advertisement

The California native had spent his entire professional career in the Phillies organization. Rollins was selected by Philadelphia in the second round of the 1996 MLB Draft and made his big league debut in September of 2000. He proceeded to start the next 14 Opening Days for the franchise, developing into a cornerstone of a Phillies team that won five straight NL East titles from 2007-11 and captured the 2008 World Series.

Rollins amassed 2,306 hits and a franchise-record 479 doubles in a Phillies uniform, and also ranks second in team annals in games played (2,090), extra- base hits (806), stolen bases (453) and total bases (3,655). He also won four Gold Gloves for his work at shortstop, most recently in 2011.

"Jimmy is both an iconic player and person whom I have had the great joy of watching grow up in this game and this city," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro stated. "His contributions to the franchise and to Philadelphia are unparalleled and I wish him the best in Los Angeles. This transaction is one that I believe benefits both Jimmy and the Phillies."

The Dodgers were in the market for a shortstop after 2014 starter Hanley Ramirez signed with Boston as a free agent.

Advertisement

Eflin, 20, is coming off a solid season in the Class A California League, going 10-7 with a 3.80 ERA in 24 starts for Lake Elsinore. A supplemental first round selection of the Padres in 2012, he led the Midwest League with a 2.73 ERA in his first full pro season in 2013.

Windle, a second-round pick of the Dodgers in the 2013 draft, went 12-8 with a 4.26 ERA in 26 games (25 starts) for Rancho Cucamonga in the Cal League.

[SportsNetwork.com]

Latest Headlines