Tough decisions ahead for Phils

Staying with one team for an entire career isn’t the rule in major league baseball. However, the Phillies pride themselves on breaking the rules.

The team’s offensive core — Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard — have only sported red pinstripes.

While Utley (signed through 2013) and Howard (2017) are locked up, the front office has some key decisions ahead. Rollins, who has been a Phillies starter since 2001, has a contract that expires after the 2011 season. Rollins talks like he would prefer to remain a Phillie until he hangs up his spikes.

“Why would I want to go anywhere else,” Rollins said. “I started here and played here when we weren’t very good and now we have a great team. It’s a great clubhouse. I love it here.”

Then there’s Jayson Werth. It’s still up in the air whether the dynamic right-handed power bat will strike a long-term deal with the Phillies. He’s in his walk year and could decide to test the free-agent market after the season.

“Everybody has to do what’s best for themselves,” Rollins said. “I can’t comment on anybody else’s situation but I can say that this is a tremendous franchise to play for. It’s great for us and for the fans. Look around baseball. You don’t see the core of a team together like it is with the Phillies. What’s going on here is an amazing thing.”