DALLASA report by MLB.coms Jim Duquette said that the Phillies have agreed to a deal with shortstop Jimmy Rollins.
Sources close to Rollins say the report is false.
A Phillies source also shot down the report.
Earlier Wednesday afternoon, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. continued to say that re-signing Rollins was the teams priority. He expressed some optimism, but no deal had been struck.
Kind of status quo, Amaro said of the negotiations. Not really much to report. Again, we have open dialogue with agent Danny Lozano. I know that Danny's been awfully busy with some other issues right now. As you know, he represents Albert Pujols. So, there's a lot of things being kicked up as far as that players livelihood is concerned, but we'll be patient with Jimmy and hope to get it all figured out.
Rollins has been seeking a five-year deal. He may have to come down from that demand, especially with Milwaukee backing off its pursuit of him. The Phillies would like to do a three-year deal and may be willing to stretch it to four. Rollins asking price could be as much as 14 million in annual average value.
I think there are many, many elements to a deal, Amaro said. There is length, dollars, and ultimately I think we can get to the finish line on it, but just like any other negotiation, it's going to take a little discomfort from their side, a little discomfort from our side and ultimately a lot of comfort for everybody. So, hopefully we'll get there.
MLB
Still, Amaro came to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas with the main goal of re-signing the clubs longtime shortstop. For now, the two sides have not agreed to a contract, but an agreement does seem to be nearing.
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com.
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com.