The Zo Zone

Jimmy Rollins received MVP votes in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2006.

He finished as high as 10th in 2005.

He could finish even higher this year.

Rollins is having a career year. You could say he's having an historic year. He also has been a constant in a lineup that has seen Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Shane Victorino succumb to injuries and Pat Burrell struggle terribly through July 1. Rollins gets overlooked on this team because the first baseman and second baseman are so good. But he also gets overlooked because Jose Reyes plays shortstop for the Mets just a couple hours north.

Rollins hinted at it, but I think he has helped use that as motivation this season.

He wants everybdoy to know he's a pretty good shortstop, too.

So who's the Phillies' MVP to this point: Utley, Howard or Rollins? If Utley had not been hurt, he would have been my choice. But now I'm leaning to Rollins. The production he's putting up from the leadoff spot is impressive.

*

Burrell says nothing has changed.

"Check the films," he said.

But Charlie Manuel said it's his stance and a cleared head that have turned things around. I will have to take Manuel on this one because Burrell is not one to talk about his successes or struggles. Regardless, he has been on a tear since July 1. So much so that Manuel finally moved up Burrell in the lineup. From sixth, where he had hit since June, to third, where he had not hit since 2002.

Aaron Rowand also would have made sense in the No. 3 spot, but the Phillies like Rowand hitting behind Howard.

*

This week's Phillies Report looks at how the other free-agent pitchers in the previous off-season are doing compared to Adam Eaton. For those wondering if Eaton could be pulled from the rotation, I say this: Don't hold your breath. They signed him to a three-year, $24.5 million contract. They simply won't pull the plug on him today. They need to hope he can turn around his season and save their investment.

That's not the answer you probably want to hear, but that's reality.

*

Jim Salisbury is in San Francisco following Barry Bonds. He says the pitcher who gives up 756 shouldn't be embarrassed. I agree. I also think the person who catches 756 should sell the ball IMMEDIATELY. Why? Because if you've followed home run records recently, it's not the record-breaking home run ball that is worth the most, it's the last one he hits. So if I catch 756 tonight, I'm selling that sucker. And fast.

I wonder if the people who gave back the historic home run balls to Mark McGwire -- for free -- still feel good about that decision, or do they regret passing up money that could have helped their families for a guy who likely juiced to get there? Plus, with Alex Rodriguez playing the way he is, Bonds might not hold the record for long. So sell, sell, sell!

*

Pitching match ups for this week's series against the Marlins.

*

Hopped on the phone last night with Harry Mayes and Jamie Yannacone (aka The 700 Level Sports Fanatics) on Sports Radio 950. Listen to the podcast here.