Yankees Rumors: Jimmy Rollins Didn’t Want To Replace Jeter

With Derek Jeter‘s retirement, the Yankees needed a shortstop this off-season. Without any ready replacement in the pipeline, the Yanks had to go shopping. Troy Tulowitzki. Asdrubal Cabrera, Alexei Ramirez, Jimmy Rollins. We heard the names all winter. The Yanks eventually settled on the three team trade that brought over Didi Gregorius.

The Yanks and Phils tried to make a deal for Rollins, but Rollins had a no-trade clause. Even if the Yankees had agreed to terms on a deal, Rollins wasn’t interested according to CBS Sports Jon Heyman.

"As for the Yankees, the timing wasn’t right as far as Rollins was concerned.“I wasn’t going to go after (Derek) Jeter,” Rollins, who made his debut in a Dodgers uniform Wednesday here against the White Sox, said. “If I was 26, Ok. But I’m 36. There was not enough time.”"

The last part of that quote is interesting to me. Not enough time.

Rollins is in many ways a contemporary of Jeter. He’s just four years younger than Jeter. They faced each other in the 2009 World Series and were part of Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.

It’s hard to replace the face of the franchise and I don’t envy what Gregorius has to do. Yes, he’s trying to be him, but I guarantee you the first home game he goes 0-4, the fans are going to boo.

I think the decision ended up working out for all parties involved.

For Rollins, he’s in a great situation  in LA, with a team with big expectations and big stars. For the Yankees, they get a young athletic shortstop who’s age begins with a two on a team with too many guys who ages begin with a three.

I think Rollins wants to make his own path without having those huge shoes to fill.