Phillies trade Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers, receive 2 prospects

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Its finally official now. The Phillies send Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers and get back RHP Zach Eflin and LHP Tom Windle.

Here is video of Eflin.

Here is video of Windle.

My analysis: Eflin looks like a #4 starter in the majors. He is durable, none of his pitches are truly plus or better, but his overall package is solid. He looks like he’ll pitch at 90-93, so his command will need to be sharp, but he has done well since turning pro and he looks pretty durable. Windle looks like a reliever to me, but I’d give him every chance possible to stick as a starter. He has good raw stuff, but hes not a finished product and has a bit more to do. Given the Phillies struggles with player development, I’m at the point where I will take the low end of the probability scale on most guys, but Eflin at least seems pretty low risk.

Rollins had 1 year left on his deal, and I’m sure he’s happy he gets another shot at a ring, which he wasn’t going to get here.

Thanks for all of the memories, Young James.

27 thoughts on “Phillies trade Jimmy Rollins to the Dodgers, receive 2 prospects”

  1. I’m happy for Jimmy Rollins, sad for me.

    In other trade rumor news, several writers have pointed out that the Padres still have prospects to acquire Hamels. Who would we want from them? Also the Padres now have a surplus of corner OFs and no CF. Wonder if they might have some interest in Ben Revere. Or even–and I only mention this off-the-wall idea because the Padres seem to be having an off-the-wall offseason–in a Hamels-Revere package. Dare we dream of Wil Myers in right? Ok, almost certainly not. But strange things seem to be happening this winter in baseball.

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  2. Well not sure I’m jumping for Joy on a #4 starter and RP. Our system seems full of those (along with 7-8 hole hitters), but I do agree with your analysis of our player development and talent evaluation people. As I just said on the BA 10 list post, getting better minor league management, scouts, coaches, etc should be job #1. I guess the buck stops with the guys we like to pick on (Amaro and company), but most of the problem with the Phillies lack of young talent at the MLB level is the operation of the farm. We don’t have to worry about the free agent market, boated salaries, etc., etc, to fix that.

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    1. It’s a numbers game, and it’s about as good as you’ll get for a guy this far along in his career. I love what Jimmy did for the organization, but it’s time to replenish the system and look down the road. I’m glad the club finally realizes his, but I wish we had another captain steering the ship.

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      1. exactly, I think they did pretty well considering they got two young arms for a 36 year old .260 hitting shortstop with one year left on his deal. He had a great career but not sure how much production you can project in 2015. Having a young durable 4th starter is important because if you fill the 4th starter spot in free agency you wind up paying 8 million dollars to the Kendrick’s and Blanton’s of the world. Slot Eflin in that spot for years to come and save money that is needed elsewhere.

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  3. Happy for Jimmy.

    It would be nice if we could move Byrd and Hamels. Howard seems like a lost cause.

    I would not sit and wait for a market to develop on Byrd. You only have 31 suitors and of those 31 far fewer have openings. Much less have a need for a right handed bat so you have maybe a handful of interested teams.

    I would not wait for a market to develop but make the market.

    The Padres, Braves, and Dodgers are having no problem making deals.

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  4. I’ll certainly miss Jimmy but I love the trade. I agree that Eflin is likely a 4 but he could also be a 3. He’s only 20 yrs old and a big strong guy. I’m also very encouraged by what I read on Windle improving his change last year. He’s only 22 and lefties often develop a little later so I still think he could be a 3/4 starter in the bigs if he continues to improve. Two major league pitchers for one year of Jimmy is a good deal. Hopefully the Dodgers will win and we get to root for Jimmy.
    Byrd will certainly get moved soon. I think Howard will get moved too and Tampa is a likely spot. However, his bat would actually look good in San Diego right about now. Any chance that Boston traded for Hannigan so they can trade Vasquez to us?

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    1. No. They traded for Hannigan to be Vasquez’s backup as they did not have a major league quality/level back-up catcher.

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  5. Can’t complain about this at all. Jimmy was going after this year, and I think the return was a good one. Maybe a Top 6-7 and a 10-12 in our system. Not bad at all.

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  6. I think im more excited over Windle, Eflin looks like he’ll be a Pettibone clone, that does nothing for me. But if either guy makes it to the majors its a win. Coulda done worse, especially since its Amaro we’re talking about.

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  8. I like it 2 good prospects for J ROLL who has 1 more yr to his contact. He now belongs to an infield that could be older then ours. Uribe 36 J Roll 36 Kendrick 31 A Gonzalez 33.. Yes the Dodgers have get pitching thier division is getting much better. J Roll could come back next yr sign a 1 or 2 yr contact as a Utility player. We still get the pitchers for a J ROLL rental.

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  9. Here is the writeup that Baseball America had on Eflin (I am not a subscriber, so this is free content)

    The Padres hit the state of Florida hard in the 2012 draft, selecting three prep righthanders in the first four rounds. Eflin was taken 33rd overall and signed for $1.2 million. Eflin touched the mid-90s in high school but sits more comfortably at 90-92 mph with sink in a pro rotation. A physical 6-foot-4, Eflin tends to stay tall and rigid in his delivery, preventing him from getting ideal extension and plane on his pitches. The righthander pitches to contact, understanding that strikeouts are not his game. He pounds the zone with his power sinker and he is not afraid to throw the changeup in any count. His slider is average, flashing above-average with good tilt. He has average to above control with average to below command. He profiles as a back-of-the rotation starter.

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    1. Read were his change-up is a plus.
      If it is anything close to Cole Hamels or Ryan Madson’s then that would be ideal.

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  11. Just saw Elfin he pounds the bottom of the zone. He looks like he could add 15 pounds . Winkle is a lefty he gets a lot of grounds with 5 hat slider. He also could add 1 pds .I never say what # of starter they could become until AAA.

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  12. Great to have James back–rarely see a founder return like that. The analysis will be treasured; clips like the Liotta/Jimmy one is a touch that will make this site great again.

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  13. Wrong place but: Padres are suddenly a possible destination for Hamels. Who would have thunk it. Do they have enough left to make a deal? I know they still have a top catching prospect. What else?

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    1. Murray….yes wrong thread.
      However, with that in mind.

      To James…..if possible, can we open up a new Gen Disc thread…the Dec 8th one has over 400 comments and is sooo slow.

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  14. I am very surprised Byrd has not been traded yet. I could see him getting about the same return as Rollins, maybe a bit better. Considering the Dodgers were apparently the only team Rollins would go to this was a good deal for Rollins. Ruben didn’t have much leverage and came away with two young arms.

    I am hoping that Ruben’s patience on moving Hamels, Byrd, Ruiz etc. will pay off for the club. If we trade Hamels and Byrd we could easily have some new additions to the top 20 list.

    If some guys like Cozens, Knapp, Oliver, Tocci etc. can establish themselves as legit prospects and start getting to the upper levels of the system our farm could start looking like a strength.

    I am really looking forward to acquiring some more prospects via trade. Add them to what we have so far and the players we draft in June and we should have a good amount of names to talk about.

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  15. Considering that Rollins’ contract was going to expire after this seaon and they were likely to get no return at all, this is as good or better than can be ecpected. At this point, Reuben should keep getting lottery tickets (prospects) with the idea that one or two will be good ones. I can deal with the team experimenting with younger players at this point. I could not deal with another season of watching an aging nucleus decline.

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  16. The last two drafts seemed to have produced some encouraging results. Stock the shelves with another good draft or two and get lucky on a prospect or two in a trade and it might be a shorter recovery than many seem to think. There will be some overdrafts or prospects who simply don’t pan out, but it will eventually work out if you have a steam coming from both trades and drafts.

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    1. That’s how I look at it also.
      Two more good drafts and hopefully the A-level ball guys get it all together and the picture looks better.
      Of course, the Nats, Mets, Braves and even the Marlins all have already MLB young veteran players and do not see them regressing and the Phillies being able to catch-up for at least 5-7 years barring injuries to key players.

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