Despite coming into spring training for the Chicago White Sox as a non-roster invitee, Jimmy Rollins had a good chance to make the team. The team made that official on Wednesday, purchasing his contract from Class AAA Charlotte.
At 37 and coming off a season hitting .224 in 144 games, Rollins seemed destined to enter the final stage of his career as a backup/mentor. But in addition to adding his name to the roster, the White Sox are starting Rollins at shortstop on Opening Day.
#WhiteSox announce three roster moves: pic.twitter.com/LY97nNkmHV
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) March 30, 2016
The White Sox outrighted pitcher Jacob Turner to AAA Charlotte and optioned pitcher Scott Carroll there as well. The team still has to pare down its roster a little more to get it down to 25 players, but Rollins is locked in at shortstop. The same can be said for Tyler Saladino, who is expected to platoon with Rollins at shortstop.
Sounds like Jimmy Rollins is the Opening Day starter at SS for the White Sox. Alex Avila to catch Chris Sale, too. — Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) March 30, 2016
Jimmy Rollins won't play every day. Robin Ventura said Tyler Saladino will spell him a bit to keep Rollins fresh.
— Dan Hayes (@CSNHayes) March 30, 2016
Rollins is hitting .354 this spring, but he also seems to have found his power stroke, slugging four long balls in 48 at-bats. Saladino has also been impressive this spring, hitting .300 with an impressive 1.066 OPS in 40 at-bats. Before he officially made the team, Rollins indicated he was fine with splitting time with Saladino.
"The truth is as you get older you don't recover as much, so getting those days off when I'm not playing is only going to benefit me in a personal way," Rollins said. "As far as a team, the days I'm not playing and he's fresh, it's benefiting the team. He's contributing, and I'll still have a role, whether it's to pinch hit, maybe a defensive replacement, pinch runner. I still can do those things."
An unnamed scout said Rollins is "playing like he's 28," which was his age when he won the National League MVP. While Rollins probably will not hit .294 with 30 home runs and 38 doubles, he is drawing rave reviews from White Sox personnel.
"Jimmy's been great for us on the field and in the clubhouse," general manager Rick Hahn said.
White Sox prospect Tim Anderson, a 22-year-old shortstop, may not get to spend as much time around Rollins as Saladino will, but said he has been taking advantage of his time in spring training.
"Anything I need I feel like I can go to him," Anderson said of Rollins. "It's just one of my options to learn on. He's an awesome guy and he's even better off the field."
