The Philadelphia Phillies are close to trading longtime shortstop and franchise hits leader Jimmy Rollins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, according to multiple reports on Wednesday.
While the return has not yet been reported, numerous outlets have said the deal is close to being done.
The 36-year-old Rollins, who had to waive a no-trade clause to complete the deal, figures to be a one-year stopgap for the Dodgers until prospect Corey Seager is ready.
A cornerstone of the Phillies organization since his debut in 2000, Rollins developed into one of the best shortstops in baseball and was named the 2007 National League MVP in 2007, a year before helping the team to its first World Series title in 28 years.
Rollins' 2,306 hits are the most in franchise history. He broke Mike Schmidt's record this past season, but also matched a career-low by batting just .243 with 17 home runs, 55 RBI, 78 runs scored and a .323 on-base percentage in 138 games.
He made major-league history in 2007 by reaching 200 hits (212) and at least 20 doubles (38), triples (20), home runs (30) and stolen bases (41) in one season. He set a league record for shortstops that year with 380 total bases, breaking the old mark set by Cubs legend Ernie Banks in 1958.
A three-time All-Star, Rollins is a lifetime .267 hitter with 216 home runs, 887 RBI and 1,325 runs scored in 2,090 games, all with the Phillies.
He has long been considered a good defensive shortstop and has won four Gold Gloves at the position.
[SportsNetwork.com]
