I disagree with this, at least the part on the "Higher guarantee". Especially with Desmond still on the market, if Rollins were able to get a guaranteed deal from any team wanting to compete with a hole at SS, he would have done so. There may be teams that still feel they could upgrade at SS and compete, but they similarly judged Rollins not worthy of a major league contract offer.

 

The only place Rollins would have possibly gotten a "higher guarantee" as you put it is if he went to a team that is a non-obvious contender...but even then, those teams aren't likely to spend money on a late-30s SS even if they're looking at the trade deadline. I'm guessing that's what you're imagining with a hypothetical "higher guarantee", but this is a league where Alexei only got $3 million and Rollins is older and fell off equally hard last year.

 

I think this is probably comparable to the offers he got elsewhere...perhaps he got slightly more money as an option here, perhaps he got an earlier opt out, or possibly he may have just thought this was his best chance to make a roster.

 

There has already been a report that Rollins turned down more money to come here.

Yeah! And what's the deal with signing Jeremy Guthrie, Casey Janssen, Clint Barmes, Brian Duensing, Carlos Marmol, Craig Breslow, Hideki Okajima, Fernando Rodney, Brendan Ryan, and Carlos Quentin?

 

It works sometimes too.

 

See Jermaine Dye, Carl Everett, Jim Thome etc. Recent veterans who had a bit of a "bounceback" or success with the Sox...

 

If you want to go back in time how about Jim Kaat Richie Zisk and Eric Solderholm etc

 

 

I really don't see it. The minor league contract with a ST invite doesn't sound much assurance that Rollins' has a high chance at the job. To me, it says that if Rollins can out-perform Saladino, then he will be the starter but he has to beat Saladino in ST in order to do so.

 

I think fans are looking way too deep into this. At this point, Rollins is signed to compete for SS and as a potential depth piece, nothing more.

 

I don't agree. He turned down more money to be here. That tells me that he believes is going to be the starter with a non-terrible spring.

So you think that Rollins is still in his prime? I guess he could be, but it seems unlikely as he's already 37 years old.

 

This is off-topic, but this signing pretty much wipes out the chance of the Sox going after Desmond, right?

 

No I think all of them were acquired at different times of the season for different reasons, and they weren't all brought in to fill big roles.

 

Most were past their prime, but that doesn't mean they should be avoided at all costs. Players past their primes contribute on every team in various ways, even playoff teams. This move isn't something you list off all of the older players you can recall the sox signing and lumping them all together and complain about . It's a minor league deal, he has to win this job

Rollins will make 2 million if he makes the club. Solid.

 

I'll give Hahn massive credit for his ability to negotiate contracts. Rarely do you see a number the Sox sign a guy for that makes you cringe.

This is fine, of course. But I pray that this isn't what Hahn/media have been referring to as "another move possible."

This is fine, of course. But I pray that this isn't what Hahn/media have been referring to as "another move possible."

 

He said they're still looking to add " any way we can" to improve the club.

He said they're still looking to add " any way we can" to improve the club.

 

Today?

Most White Sox move ever. WTF, he better not actually make the team.

 

edit: actually, looking at his stats maybe he should make the team. He hasn't cratered quite as much as I thought.

Edited February 22, 201610 yr by chitownsportsfan

I don't agree. He turned down more money to be here. That tells me that he believes is going to be the starter with a non-terrible spring.

Then why didn't Rollins get a guaranteed MLB contract if the Sox are that confident in Rollins being the starting SS? Nothing in Hahn's comments indicate Rollins is a sure thing to start at SS.

 

"We envision Jimmy contributing both on and off the field," Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager, said in the club's statement. "He provides us with another quality infield option with the potential to play a variety of roles, as well as another significant positive presence inside our clubhouse."

So you think that Rollins is still in his prime? I guess he could be, but it seems unlikely as he's already 37 years old.

 

This is off-topic, but this signing pretty much wipes out the chance of the Sox going after Desmond, right?

 

This is a minor league deal. Those were all major league deals/trades involving prospects. Dunn and arguably LaRoche also doesn't belong on that list, either. Nor Jones, neither.

There has already been a report that Rollins turned down more money to come here.

You seem to be applying much less skepticism to those reports this year than you do to other reports regarding the White Sox.

Then why didn't Rollins get a guaranteed MLB contract if the Sox are that confident in Rollins being the starting SS? Nothing in Hahn's comments indicate Rollins is a sure thing to start at SS.

Yes. I think he picked the White Sox because he thought he had a better shot at starting. Probably with the other teams, he was going to be a utility guy. Maybe that is what he is here, or maybe he doesn't make the team. All I know is that if he is starting, he outplayed Saladino, so he should be starting.

Then why didn't Rollins get a guaranteed MLB contract if the Sox are that confident in Rollins being the starting SS? Nothing in Hahn's comments indicate Rollins is a sure thing to start at SS.

 

Why would they give out a bigger contract than they needed to?

I'll give Hahn massive credit for his ability to negotiate contracts. Rarely do you see a number the Sox sign a guy for that makes you cringe.

 

Hahn's secret negotiating tactic is to have a poor roster with tons of giant holes so free agents feel they will get a better opportunity and hence take less money.

Then why didn't Rollins get a guaranteed MLB contract if the Sox are that confident in Rollins being the starting SS? Nothing in Hahn's comments indicate Rollins is a sure thing to start at SS.

He's betting on his own skill, like many free agents out there.

Yes. I think he picked the White Sox because he thought he had a better shot at starting. Probably with the other teams, he was going to be a utility guy. Maybe that is what he is here, or maybe he doesn't make the team. All I know is that if he is starting, he outplayed Saladino, so he should be starting.

This is exactly how I see it DA. The ML contract, ST invite and incentives based on him making the team tells me Rollins has to earn the starting job and is not guaranteed anything.

He's betting on his own skill, like many free agents out there.

He is, I don't deny that. Given the limited amount teams (very, very few) in need of a starting SS, the Sox probably give him the best chance at being a starter IF he can outplay Saladino. Hahn even said Rollins could be used in other roles so by no means is Rollins guaranteed anything outside of being given a chance to compete, nothing more.

Why would they give out a bigger contract than they needed to?

Obviously they didn't need to but given the terms of the deal and Hahn's comments, there's absolutely no reason to think Rollins is guaranteed anything other than a shot, that's it.

Obviously they didn't need to but given the terms of the deal and Hahn's comments, there's absolutely no reason to think Rollins is guaranteed anything other than a shot, that's it.

 

I am not saying it is 100% done. But I do believe he is getting a 5 meter head start in a 100 meter run.

Jimmy Rollins = future MLB Manager, somewhere.

This is fine, of course. But I pray that this isn't what Hahn/media have been referring to as "another move possible."

 

 

One of the beat writers tweeted that Hahn emphasized that he may have " one more move left in him" prior to opening day.

One of the beat writers tweeted that Hahn emphasized that he may have " one more move left in him" prior to opening day.

That was said today?

Kenny Williams loves his declining and washed up veterans and the org is scared to high heaven of playing young position players.

Edited February 22, 201610 yr by GreenSox

That was said today?

 

 

Yes. I need to find it. May have been Kane or Santos