Prompted by a New York reporter to offer his thoughts on the Mets' offseason moves - including the signing of closer Francisco Rodriguez - Rollins declined.
"I'll address that in spring training," he said.
Rollins did, however, express excitement about competing for USA Baseball for the first time in his career. The Phillies shortstop was a finalist for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but his bid was thwarted when the Phillies promoted him to the big leagues in September of that year. Rollins then hoped to play in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, but he was not included on the team thanks to the presence of Yankees star Derek Jeter.
Years later, a National League MVP award and a World Series title on his resume, Rollins expects no such roadblocks.
"I'm just fortunate to be on the team," he said. "I had a chance a couple of years ago and I didn't quite make it. So just to be on the team is enough. When I do play, I hope to contribute."
How much he gets to play remains to be seen. Jeter has already been named the starting shortstop by manager Davey Johnson, but the teams do feature a designated hitter and there figure to be plenty of at-bats to go around. The tournament begins March 5 and the U.S. will play in Toronto in the bracket that includes Canada, Italy and Venezuela.
"I have no problem with Derek Jeter being named the starting shortstop," Rollins said. "He's a great representative for USA Baseball and I can't really think of a bigger city or a bigger name than that guy. It has nothing to do with pride or that I think I am better or that he is better and he should do it - it has nothing to do with that. This is baseball. This is a team. It's about USA Baseball trying to go out there and bring this WBC title home."
This will be the first time in eight full big-league seasons that Rollins won't go through the normal routine of spring training. Some players, like Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, declined to participate so the WBC would not interfere with their preparation for the regular season. But Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who played for Team USA in 2006, said he doesn't expect Rollins to have much trouble adjusting.
"Jimmy is a seasoned veteran, he's an MVP, he's a true professional," Jones said. "He's going to know how to get himself ready. There's nothing that can substitute for game situations. We all know that, but I think if you practice like you play, you get your mind mentally ready, when you do get the opportunity to step in there against live pitching, you'll do just fine."
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