Staying with one team for an entire career isn’t the rule in major league baseball. However, the Phillies pride themselves on breaking the rules.
The team’s offensive core — Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard — have only sported red pinstripes.
While Utley (signed through 2013) and Howard (2017) are locked up, the front office has some key decisions ahead. Rollins, who has been a Phillies starter since 2001, has a contract that expires after the 2011 season. Rollins talks like he would prefer to remain a Phillie until he hangs up his spikes.
“Why would I want to go anywhere else,” Rollins said. “I started here and played here when we weren’t very good and now we have a great team. It’s a great clubhouse. I love it here.”
Then there’s Jayson Werth. It’s still up in the air whether the dynamic right-handed power bat will strike a long-term deal with the Phillies. He’s in his walk year and could decide to test the free-agent market after the season.
“Everybody has to do what’s best for themselves,” Rollins said. “I can’t comment on anybody else’s situation but I can say that this is a tremendous franchise to play for. It’s great for us and for the fans. Look around baseball. You don’t see the core of a team together like it is with the Phillies. What’s going on here is an amazing thing.”
