By Mary Cunningham
So Jimmy Rollins is the first star in the Phillies’ House of Cards to go.
Rollins has been traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers, ending his 15-year stint with the Phillies.
It is unclear what the Phils acquired in exchange for the 36-year-old Rollins, a three-time All-Star shortstop who won the National League MVP in 2007.
The trade marks the end of Rollins’ historic run in Philly, where he spent his entire career. Rollins is the franchise’s all-time leader in hits, at-bats and doubles, and was one of the key contributors to the Phillies’ World Series championship run in 2008.
The Dodgers had been seeking a veteran shortstop to replace Hanley Ramirez, who signed as a free agent last month with the Boston Red Sox, and bridge the gap until their top position prospect, Corey Seager, is ready.
Rollins will make $11 million next season in 2015 — the final year of his contract.
Seager, 20, finished last season at Double-A Chattanooga. The Dodgers’ other in-house options, Erisbel Arruebarrena and Miguel Rojas, are unproven as everyday players and carried serious question marks about their ability to hit.
