San Francisco Giants: Hill likely on roster over Rollins

Mar 12, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Aaron Hill (94) looks on prior to a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Aaron Hill (94) looks on prior to a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

The San Francisco Giants brought in Jimmy Rollins, this offseason to help push for a spot and drive up the competition in spring training. It looks like he won’t make the roster though.

The San Francisco Giants brought in a host of veterans to help compete for a roster spot, and drive up the competition between their young players to get spots on the full 25 man roster. Aaron Hill was a late addition to the party, but still an addition none-the-less.

Hill was on the travel roster, according to Alex Pavlovic of CSN Bay Area. Jimmy Rollins was not, according to his recent story.

"“Team officials spoke with Rollins this week about their future plans. He was not on the travel roster Tuesday and did not attend the game against the Cubs. “"

Bruce Bochy also said this to reporters:

"We’re waiting to hear back from him,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He knows the scenario and the situation. We’re waiting to hear back.”"

Rollins would end up in triple-a if he wanted to accept the assignment. It looks like Jae-Gyun Hwang, and Michael Morse may accept a placement there to start the year.

So this is really not surprising. While it was another vet that came in and beat him out for a roster spot, Kelby Tomlinson could’ve gotten the spot over Rollins. The former N.L. MVP hit a paltry .199 and was pretty routine when it came to defense at short.

Aaron Hill‘s ability to play both second and third competently, coupled with Nuñez’s ability to play third and short, it seemed that unless Rollins learned second, and hit, he was at a disadvantage.

While many people overreacted to the idea of him coming to spring-training, this really was still a win-win situation. A good competition between Hill, Rollins, and Tomlinson was going to help produce a solid infield backup crew.

This was always going to be the situation with Rollins. Either he was good enough to make the roster, and you have a resurgent Jimmy Rollins on the squad, or his presence pushes others to be good enough to make the squad. Aaron Hill seems the winner, and well deserved. So right now, the infield will likely look like this:

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