Seventeen-year veteran Jimmy Rollins has reportedly signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants. Rollins last played for the Chicago White Sox in 2016, posting a slash line of .221/.295/.329. He tallied two home runs to go along with eight RBI.
The deal was initially reported on twitter by Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
Source: Jimmy Rollins signs minor-league deal with #SFGiants.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 19, 2016
Jon Heyman of Today’s Knuckleball and FanRag Sports reported the details of the contract.
jimmy rollins gets 1M base if he plays for giants all year. @Ken_Rosenthal 1st on minors agreement
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 19, 2016
Jimmy Rollins Signs with Giants
Rollins was cut from the White Sox on June 10th, 2016 to make room for then-top-rated prospect Tim Anderson.
Rollins joined Pedro Martinez and Gary Sheffield on TBS as a postseason analyst this year. If he fails to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, he most likely revert back to a similar role.
Rollins Legacy
J-Roll played his best baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies, the organization that drafted him in the second round of the 1996 amateur draft. While in the City of Brotherly Love, Rollins was a three-time All-Star, a four-time Gold Glove winner, the 2007 MVP, and a 2008 World Series champion.
Rollins, a California native, is the Phillies all-time leader in hits, at-bats, and doubles. He is in the top ten in games, runs, triples, home runs, RBI, walks, and stolen bases.
How Can Rollins Help?
Though Rollins is 38, he brings a lot to the table for the Giants. He stole five bases in just 41 games, and only got caught twice. Though Rollins has played just one position other than shortstop in his career, the Giants may try using him as a fifth infielder next season. Always an elite defender, Rollins joins an infield that boasts the highest fielding percentage in baseball. In addition, Jimmy is a switch hitter, which brings diversity to a heavily left handed-hitting infield. Rollins would also bring playoff experience and leadership to this Giants team.
Rollins has played for three major league clubs in his career. If he makes the team in San Francisco, it would be his fourth.
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