The Phillies season ended Friday.

In about two weeks, the World Series will be over, too. The conclusion of major league baseball's season - the day after the last game of the World Series - is the first time players can officially file for free agency.

For the first time in his career, Jimmy Rollins will file for free agency.

He spoke to the media today (you can watch two videos shot from the press conference here).

The two key points: Rollins wants a five-year contract and he will almost certainly test the free agent market, even if the Phils present an offer before he files for free agency.

Here's a sampling of what he had to say....


Question: What are your priorities as free agency nears?

Rollins: Obviously, winning is always number one. We've only won one championship so far. Maybe its two less than I would have liked, given the opportunities that we've had here. But what is important? Being the leader, always inspiring my teammates to go out there and give their best, finding a way to win and obviously my performance. But knowing that this city is definitely loving the Phillies again. You'll see a lot of green around, you'll never change that. But there's a lot of red, a lot of red. You don't have to worry about other teams being chanted in our ballpark anymore because of the product on the field every single day was something that people could be proud of around here. So we definitely did a lot of changing of minds and turned it back into a baseball city like it was a long time ago. It took a lot of work and that's something that I'm proud of. Maybe that's something I can continue.



Q: What's you gut feeling... will you be back?

Rollins: Gut feeling... Charlie has some great gut feelings and they obviously work out. Mine have been known to be pretty successful. But at the same time, the gut feelings don't always make great business decisions. And it is a business, no matter what you feel or what you want. Things have to be negotiated, worked out and agreed upon. I see that there's a good chance that things will work out.


Q: Will the fact that you've played here for so long impact decision?

Rollins: I've been here since 1996. That's a long time in this organization. It's the only one I've known. I've never thought about having to go anywhere else. That's a good thing- that means there's been a healthy relationship with organization and vice versa. But I don't think spending a lot of time in one place makes you say this is the place I want to be. Accomplishing what we've accomplish here as a team- that definitely makes you want to see it through to the end. There will be an opportunity for that to happen. They are going to have first shot before anyone else to get something done. Hopefully, we'll get something done. I love the fans. We have an interesting relationship and that would be something that would be fun to continue. But it is still a business, so you've got to understand the other side of it also.


Q: You've seen teammates move to greener pastures, not better circumstance. Will that play a role and will dollars or years be more important to you?

Rollins: I've seen teammates go other places and get a lot of money, which is great for them and their family. Obviously, if I was to go somewhere else, it would be for money and for years and to another good team. I'm not just going to go to another team just for money. It has to be the right circumstance. It has to be a team that is winning now or a team that will be winning in three months. I can't be waiting too long. I'm not used to losing anymore. But it has to make sense for both parties. You can't say what's more important. I'll be OK either way. I've been able to live a lovely lifestyle through this sport and entertaining people. When it comes down to it, when the offers is on the table, first from the Phillies and see how that goes. If it doesn't work out the way we'd like it to, we'll weigh all the other options then and see what makes sense for me and my family and to see what I want to do for the rest of my career.



Q: The reports are you want five years... what would it take to come back? Would you take fewer years to stay here?

Rollins: If I was older, I'd take a shorter term. But I'll be 33 when I get the contract. That means I have good six years left to perform at a high level and maybe even more. My father has been in great shape, so I know how to keep myself in shape. There's no doubt about that. As far as life, you are starting to become a grown man and what it takes every single day and what you are able to do. I'm looking at five years. But if its going to be shorter, it would have to be a fifth year option or something like that. My option.


Q: How do you view your skills at this point?

Rollins: It's slower getting up in the morning and I eat breakfast a little later. But the skills are where they have always been. They haven't gone anywhere. I know you guys like to make me feel old at times, but that's simply not the case. In '07, I had a fantastic season that I had a lot to live up to and a lot to prove and I was able to do it. Prior to that and after that, I've been the same consistent player barring a couple of injuries.



Q: ...And compared to other guys in the league?

Rollins: You guys can do that, man. That's the fun part.


Q: As a first time free agent, would you rather have a quick resolution or test the process?

Rollins: That will play itself out. You are prepared for everything. You are prepared to get it done here and get it done in Philadelphia if it works out. That would be No. 1. If it doesn't, we'll see what happens on the open market. If everything is the same, I won't go anywhere. If it is something crazy, then it is something that I will think about.


Q: If Phils make an offer - sign now or wait for the market?

Rollins: As a business person, it makes more sense to come in and start some kind of war to raise the dollar sign up. But if they made an offer now that was great for both sides, it would be a no-brainer. There wouldn't be too much to think about because I've been here and I've liked it here. It's been a great place to play right now. It's a great product every single day. The players, the community every single day. If that doesn't happen, we'll see what happens. Off the top, definitely, if they made an offer and we said it is what we are looking for, then it would be done.