Oakland Athletics’ Offseason Options: Shortstops

Sep 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jimmy Rollins (right) steals second as San Diego Padres third baseman Yangervis Solarte (26) loses control of the ball during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Jimmy Rollins / 36 years old

Position: Shortstop

Bats: Both, Throws: Right

Height: 5’ 7”, Weight: 175 lb.

Not many people know this about J-Roll, but the former-MVP is an Eastbay native. That’s right, Rollins grew up in Oakland and the A’s might be able to provide him an opportunity to end his baseball career right where it started, should he not retire at the end of this season. Don’t think of it as another Mike Piazza or Nomar Garciaparra situation from the middle 2000’s because Jimmy can still play. While his batting average has dipped (.213), he’s still got pop (13 HR’s) from both sides of the plate and has shown that he can remain healthy (136 games played) at age 36.

Also, with Corey Seager coming up for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Rollins will likely become expendable at the end of the 2015 campaign, giving ample opportunity for Oakland to pounce and pick up one of the greatest shortstops and leaders of this generation. I’m sure he would be a great mentor for Semien (also a Eastbay native) and I could see his current $11 million salary coming down quite a bit, making him an actual possibility for the green and gold.

Next: Oakland Athletics: Four September Call-Ups Who Have Impressed Thus Far