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Levine: Jimmy Rollins Will Get Chance To Win Everyday SS Job

By Bruce Levine--

GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- The White Sox's addition of veteran Jimmy Rollins on a minor-league deal Monday is a signal that a battle for the shortstop role is on this spring. Second-year infielder Tyler Saladino was penciled in as the man to replace Alexei Ramirez this offseason, but there will now be a competition over the next six weeks.

Rollins turned down contract offers in two other places for a shot with the White Sox, according to multiple sources. Although the White Sox have said he will be looked at in a variety of different roles on and off the field, winning the shortstop job outright is possible for the 37-year-old Rollins, who was the 2007 NL MVP.

"Any time you bring up a name like Rollins, you want to have that in your camp," manager Robin Ventura said. "We are excited to have him come in here, and we will see how that all plays out."

The White Sox promised Rollins a chance at ample playing time, and with an inexperienced shortstop ahead of him, the offer intrigued the three-time All-Star. Chicago will pay him $2 million if he's added onto the 25-man roster.

After Rollins hit a career-low .224 for the Dodgers last season, the White Sox will try to gauge how much he has left in the tank. Ideally, he will become a stabilizing player at shortstop and in the clubhouse. Rollins also had 13 homers, 41 RBIs, 12 stolen bases and a .643 OPS in 144 games for Los Angeles in 2015.

This move is indicative of the White Sox's win-now mode, which is marked by having numerous position players on one- or two-year deals. Rollins and catchers Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro are on one-year deals, while third baseman Todd Frazier, second baseman Brett Lawrie and outfielder Melky Cabrera are under control through 2017. Designated hitter Adam LaRoche also has one year left on his contract.

Both Ventura and general manager Rick Hahn said that the shortstop competition is open for Rollins and Saladino.

"The way we view it and the way we described it to Jimmy, no one is given jobs until they earn jobs," Hahn said. "There is certainly the opportunity that Jimmy could find himself playing fairly regularly at short. He will also come in and be prepared on a utility basis, playing multiple positions depending on how things play out."

Ventura talked to Saladino and told him that the job is still wide open and that Rollins will be an asset to the player and the team. Going forward, the White Sox are still trying to add a left-handed outfielder with RBI potential to the roster.

"We have not sent that opening day roster to MLB yet," Hahn said, tongue in cheek. "Until that happens, we feel there is always something else we can do. We have not stopped looking and haven't stopped having conversations with other clubs. We will see how things play out."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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