June 10, 2016
Jimmy Rollins, the Phillies' all-time leader in hits, has been designated for assignment by the Chicago White Sox in order to make room on the roster for the organization's top prospect, Tim Anderson.
On Tuesday, Chicago GM Rick Hahn said that the decision to call up Anderson wouldn't be in reaction to anything that was going on at the big league level, but rather because the team feels "he’s ready to help make us better, not because of anything that is going on in this clubhouse."
Prior to today’s game, the #WhiteSox designated shortstop Jimmy Rollins for assignment and purchased the contract of shortstop Tim Anderson.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 10, 2016
However, had it not been for the former National League MVP's struggles in Chicago this season, he may still be with the Sox.
In 41 games this season, Rollins is slashing .221/.295/.329 and his OPS of .624 is the lowest of his 17-year big-league career. Among the 29 major league shortstops with at least 150 plate appearances this season, Rollins' OPS ranks 24th (two spots below the guy who replaced him in Philadelphia: Freddy Galvis, .641).
Recently, Rollins had been seeing less regular playing time at shortstop, with the Sox opting to start second-year player Tyler Saladino.
Down on the farm, Anderson has been hitting quite well with triple-A Charlotte. In just over 250 plate appearances this year, he's hitting .304/.325/.409 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and 11 steals. But, after a slow start, he's been even hotter recently and is hitting .361/.382/.517 in the last month-plus.
Rollins, who spent 15 seasons with the Phillies and made three All-Star appearances in addition to the aforementioned MVP in 2007, is a career .264 hitter and is just 55 hits shy of reaching 2,500 for his career.
Now, the Phillies' hit king will likely be placed on waivers. Should he clear, the Sox could chose to trade or release the 37-year-old. They also have the option to outright Rollins to triple-A, although it's hard to imagine a guy like that accepting a job in the minor leagues.
Not exactly the way you want to see one of the Phillies' all-time greats go out. At least we'll always have this...
