DALLASDespite a November meeting with possible free-agent target Aramis Ramirez, the Phillies remain focused on re-signing Jimmy Rollins.
He is the teams priority.
Certainly is, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said on Tuesday.
The two sides are still a ways apart. Rollins would like a five-year deal; the Phillies favor a three-year deal, but may be willing to stretch it to four, according to sources.
In the end, manager Charlie Manuel believes hell be writing Rollins name on his lineup card in April.
I think there's a big chance that Jimmy is going to be back with us, said Manuel, who spoke to Rollins last week. I feel that way, and I think it's going to get done. I think our organization -- when I listen to people upstairs and my general manager -- I think right now that's definitely our A plan.
Plan B would be letting Rollins go and plugging the shortstop position with Freddy Galvis or acquiring a veteran through a trade or free-agent signing and bolstering the offense by signing Ramirez to play third base. One source said free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer was still an outside possibility. He, too, is viewed as a player that could upgrade the offense, but, like Ramirez, is a fallback for Rollins.
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The Phillies began making plans for a possible Rollins departure weeks ago. Thats why Amaro had senior adviser Pat Gillick meet with Ramirez face-to-face in the Dominican Republic last month (see story).
Pat was impressed with him as person, Amaro said. Thats just part of our due diligence. We try to get to know people we might pursue.
While the Phillies need a contingency in case Rollins signs elsewhere, it is quite possible that their interest in Ramirez has been overstated. If so, it wouldnt be the first time a team has shown Player B some love in hopes that the more-desired Player A notices.
You try to cover the bases or something like that, Manuel said. But at the same time, if I'm a betting guy, I'll say that we keep Jimmy, that Jimmy is going to be with us.
"I think that he wants to remain a Phillie. Jimmy can be a spur-of-the-moment guy sometimes. You know, he'll wake up one morning and say, Hey, I'm staying a Phillie. That's kind of who he is.
The consensus around baseball is that Rollins will return to Philadelphia and the shortstop position that he has held down for 11 seasons. This notion is supported by the fact that the market for Rollins is thin. St. Louis doesnt appear to be in the hunt for Rollins, regardless of what happens with free-agent Albert Pujols, and Milwaukee, a team that needs a shortstop, likely wont go five years for Rollins. Anything short of five years probably means Rollins returns to Philadelphia, a place where he is comfortable and has been a foundation piece on a championship team.
Amaro has met twice with Rollins agent, Dan Lozano, at these winter meetings. The first meeting didnt go all that well, according to sources. The second was more productive.
We had a nice meeting, Amaro said of the second one. Theres not really much to report other than we had a chance to discuss a few things. It was a good meeting and were still working through.
The theme remains the same: Jimmy wants to remain a Phillie, I think. The Phillies want Jimmy to be their shortstop. I think its just like anything else, were just working to get there.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com