DALLASIt has been widely assumed that length of contract is the sticking point between Jimmy Rollins and the Phillies.
But money may be just as big of an issue.
Rollins came into free-agency knowing that Jose Reyes would set the bar for shortstops. He did just that, signing a six-year deal, 106 million contract with the Marlins. The average annual value for that deal is 17.6 million. Coming into the off-season, 12 million seemed to be a reasonable average value for Rollins, who made 8.5 million last season. The Reyes signing may have pushed Rollins asking price to closer to 14 million per season.
Phillies officials met with Rollins agent Dan Lozano on Sunday night and that meeting did not go well.
His price keeps going up, one person with knowledge of the discussions said of Rollins.
That is probably a direct result of the Reyes signing.
Two agents who have kept tabs on the Rollins situation believe 14 million per season is about where Rollins should be after the Reyes signing.
MLB
Reyes isnt 6 million better than Rollins, said one agent, using 12 million per season as a base. Id say 14 million is about right.
Rollins has been seeking a five-year deal. The Phillies wont go there. Theyd prefer a three-year deal, but there have been indications that they would go to four years either in a reasonably triggered option or a guarantee if the money is right.
As of mid-day Wednesday, the ball was in Rollins court and Phillies officials were waiting for him to make the next move.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com