Shortstop Jimmy Rollins took his place in history for the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday by passing Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to become the franchise's all-time hits leader, but after the accomplishment Rollins was addressing trade rumors.
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Rollins said after the last-place Phillies (29-37) defeated the Chicago Cubs 7-4 that he'd consider waiving his no-trade clause if Philadelphia was looking to deal him and the situation was right.
"It really depends if everything is blown up," Rollins told reporters Saturday. "Then you take that into consideration. If they blow everything up, then of course."
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Rollins can veto any trade and he said back in March he wouldn't let the only team he's ever played for trade him because he was focused on surpassing Schmidt's record. After knocking a base-hit into right field in the fifth inning on Saturday to secure the record with his 2,235th career hit, Rollins has softened his stance.
Philadelphia has stumbled out of the gate this season and with the July 31 MLB trade deadline approaching, Rollins could be among the many players on Philadelphia's $180 million payroll that could be moved by general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
The shortstop is making $11 million this year and has a vesting option of that same number for 2015.
Rollins, 35, said he'd like to remain in Philadelphia but knows that the team's philosophy isn't up to him and said that he believes there's still time for the team to right the ship.
"Fortunately, I don't have to worry about that right now," the shortstop told reporters. "But if that time does come, and it's time to go ... people move on. We have six weeks. We can make it difficult on Ruben. The division hasn't gotten away from us at all yet. Hopefully we have a little magic left."
The NL East is up in the air as the first place Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals hold just a 5.5 game lead over the Phillies entering play on Sunday.
Rollins has spent 15 years with the Phillies, notching four gold gloves, three All-Star teams and he helped win the club's first World Series title since 1980 in 2008. Rollins was a part of the Phillies' core that won five straight NL East titles from 2007-11 and went to back-to-back World Series in 2008-09.
Rollins has appeared in 2,015 games with Philadelphia and leads the team all-time in doubles with 466. Rollins has launched 207 homers and has 858 RBIs in his career.
The shortstop is the Phillies all-time hits leader, but for the first time in his career he could be playing for another team by July 31.
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