Reports: Dodgers interested in Scott Rolen.

How’s this for a rumor: The Dodgers are kicking the tires on a soon-to-be 38-year-old third baseman who might be retired by the time spring training rolls around.

Scott RolenScott Rolen is a free agent and a better defensive third baseman — at least historically — than Hanley Ramirez and Luis Cruz. So there’s the basis for a rumor. But …

The Dodgers’ 40-man roster is full, so you’d have to make room for Rolen somewhere (looking at you, 10 infielders) unless he is willing to sign a minor-league contract with a spring training invite. Given the opportunity to rule out retirement, Rolen hasn’t ruled out retirement. The Cincinnati Enquirer (click on the last link) reports that there isn’t much room for Rolen on the Reds’ roster either.

Rolen is represented by the same agency as A.J. Ellis, Brandon League and Aaron Harang, but the Dodgers reportedly haven’t approached agents Seth and Sam Levinson about Rolen.

The 1997 National League Rookie of the Year, Rolen batted .245/.318/.398 in 92 games last season. He missed nearly a month with a strained left shoulder last season, and only played 65 games in 2011 due to shoulder and back problems.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.