Are Rollins, Phillies ready to get married?

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I spent over 80 hours of the past week in Pounce mode. My chosen career path led me to Dallas to produce CSNs coverage of MLBs winter meetings. Basically, the job requires staying on guard for five days, waiting for a legitimate development to emerge above the mere background noise that emanates from the hotel lobby.

Needless to say, not a lot happened in regards to the Phillies. Jayson Werths extraneous Y was finally replaced by Laynce Nix. Thats about it.

Shortstop looks like the last thing remaining on general manager Ruben Amaros plate this winter. While Twitter has already returned Jimmy Rollins to the Phillies on a variety of contracts, neither side has been able to work their way to an actual deal.

Heres what we know about this era of Phillies management: when they want something and there is no competition, the deal gets done quickly. In this case, the Phillies appeared to be the one, true suitor for Rollins before Albert Pujols spurned the Cardinals. Yet, there is still no deal.

The simple assessment of these negotiations comes down to length and value. My sense, having had no discussions with either side, is that Rollins future is more about both sides sense of where their relationship stands.

The Phillies and Rollins are like a couple that have dated for more than a decade and now have to make a decision on whether to get married. For a better sense of what might be holding up a decision on the nuptials, lets take a look at the timeline of the relationship:
2000-2002: Courtship
The Phillies give Rollins a chance. He proves there is a spark.

2003-2006: Early Dating Stage
Rollins emerges as one of the faces of the franchise. The experience is mostly positive for all parties involved. Neither side is sure where its going.

January 2007: The Next Level
Rollins makes his now legendary team to beat comments. Those words were his way of saying that he wanted to be part of a greater commitment. The Phillies were ready for the same.

October 2007: Engagement
Rollins follows up his comments with an MVP season and by catapulting the Phillies back into the postseason for the first time in 14 years. Best girlfriend ever.

June 2008July 2008: Lets Take A Break
Rollins is benched for not hustling in a game against the Reds in June. Then, he is scratched from a start against the Mets because he arrived late to Shea Stadium. The Phillies get their first real taste than everything is not what it seems.

October 2008: We Are Back
Both sides patched things up. Actually, things are better than they ever were the first time. World Series Champions.

2009-August 2011: Friends With Benefits
There were highs (walk-off double in 2009 NLCS Game 4).

There were lows (mounting injury concerns).

Rollins saw a pretty sharp decline in his offensive productivity, but he still proved to be an average to above-average shortstop. More importantly, the Phillies went about finding other stars. The Phillies acquired Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cliff Lee again, and Hunter Pence. Ryan Howard, a Rollins protg, was also rewarded with the richest contract in club history. Needless to say, Rollins saw all his friends settling down and had to be wondering why he wasnt good enough to get engaged.

September-October 2011: Starving For Attention
With Rollins final season under contract winding down, he began to let the Phillies know it was time to, as Beyonce might say, Put a ring on it. You have to think management couldnt have been too thrilled that their leadoff hitter fledged a pretty noticeable PR offensive about his contract right around postseason time. Especially, when that postseason turned out to be a significant disappointment.

That brings us to where we stand right now. The Phillies are like a 35-year old guy who has never been married and is weighing the pros and cons of a life with Rollins.

PROS:
You already know everything (good and bad) about Rollins. No surprises.
There may not be a better option.

CONS:
Rollins looks have faded in recent years.
He may not let you ever forget that you messed around with Howard, Halladay, Chase Utley and Lee before settling down with him.

Will Rollins be a Phillie forever? Its a strong possibility.

But its clear that Amaro and the front office appreciates that forever can be a long time if youre with the wrong mate.

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