Giants Looking To Unload Rowand?

"Would a swap of Aaron Rowand and Ryan Church make sense?"

The Giants would have to pick up at least two thirds of Rowand's contract for the Mets to consider doing that.

What would be the point of trading those two? Beltran is set in CF for the Mets and the gnats already have COF. I love seeing the giants being screwed by HORRIBLE contracts to FA. These include Rowand, Zito, and Renteria(just to name a few.)

Huh? The Mets have a center fielder. His name is Beltran.

Willie Harris for Lance Broadway would be a great idea for both the Sox and Nats. Nats get another arm into camp, and Sox get their CF. Harris' defense should be solid.

I'd say play a 2 man outfield...

The Giants should not trade him until they find someone to man CF fulltime. Winn is good, but he should be traded sometime this year. Also Fred Lewis is terrible in the outfield, downright bad.

Rowand needs to go. Yes, he hustles, but that doesn't make up for mediocre offense and downright piss-poor defense. Winn is a better CF than Rowand and his offense would play better there than in RF. It would also allow Nate Schierholtz to play everyday, which he deserves to do. Of course, Winn is a free agent after 2009 as well, but the savings could be used for a replacement outfielder.

If the Giants could get rid of just half his salary, that would be $18M over the next 3 years, which could be spent on just about anything that would be an improvement.

"Rowand needs to go. Yes, he hustles, but that doesn't make up for mediocre offense and downright piss-poor defense. Winn is a better CF than Rowand and his offense would play better there than in RF. It would also allow Nate Schierholtz to play everyday, which he deserves to do. Of course, Winn is a free agent after 2009 as well, but the savings could be used for a replacement outfielder. "

I completely agree with this. Well said.

And the savings could be sued for things like signing Matt Holliday (yes, Matt's going to cost more, but he's the perfect fit in SF and the Giants can afford the payroll bump IF they get rid of Rowand).

But only sign him if your pick isn't protected (if he remains an Athletic), because the A's kinda would like a 1st rounder back for Matty. Unlike last time the A's had a Type A FA.

What do I think they should do? I think they should get Ned Colletti on the phone, tell him to re-work Slappy Pierre's contract ala Andruw Jones, then take him and fork over a bag of balls to the Blue. But that's just me.

The Yankees would make sense if the Giants were willing to either A. not ask for much and / or B. eat some of that 44 mil.

I see a few teams around the major leagues that could really use Rowand if the Giants adhered to the terms above.

"Would a swap of Aaron Rowand and Ryan Church make sense?"

To who? Not to the Mets. It is funny to me that you mock me for suggesting resigning Pedro, then you want to pay 44 million to downgrade offensively and defensively. Aaron Rowand sucks. He was never good. He can put up some good offensive seasons playing in Philly or in the Cell, but his defense is overrated, his offense sucks, and that is for a centerfielder. Stick him in RF in Citi Field? And pay like 40 million? Gross, I think I just vomited on my keyboard. That was a flat out horrible signing from day one. Even if the Giants ate every cent, I still wouldn't swap Church for him. And I don't even love Church or anything.

"What is this the third time in the past offseason that the Chicago beat writers make some rumor up? The Giants don't have any reasons to unload Rowand."

The fact that he is a below average player making 40 million isn't a good enough reason?

By the way, I meant to say his offense is overrated and his defense sucks, but either way, he is bad.

"Only? Like three ridiculously horibble deals that 90% of fans could see a mile away, isn't a big deal?"

True, true. It is a big deal. I've long said the Giants should move Sabean to a head of scouting role (he is a superb drafter) and get a different GM.

"What CF free agent has actually worked out???"

That Beltran guy is pretty good.

The Giants would need to eat a lot of his salary anyway, so why not trade him for a young outfielder that needs a change of scenery anyway? I am talking about the recently demoted Lastings Milledge of Washington. Milledge would add to a young nucleus in San Francisco, while Rowand would add another veteran to a Nationals team that seems to think they can contend.

BA should be given the starting job in CF at least until the All-Star break. If he can hit, the job is his, if not, then make a change. You can't take his stats from 2006 and use that against him his entire career. He was a Rookie in 2006. BA has matured, give him chance to prove it.

"Rowand and Gary Matthews Jr. have made the two most profitable catches in baseball history..."

Hampton and Zito.

"nrmax88, he was asking what CF worked out from that offseason with Rowand, HUnter and Jones. Right now, it is Hunter, he was pretty good last yr. the other two have been busts. And the offense that Rowand is showing now is nothing special, its been 9 games."

Hunter's defense is overrated. No way is he 30MM better than Rowand.

Why not bring in Barry Bonds while your at it. LOL!!!

Damn, it took me 40 minutes to be able to get back onto this site. Anyways:

'As far as the Chisox go wouldn't a trade for Ankiel make ALOT of sense? He's exactly the kind of ballplayer that Williams has been targeting, young, athletic, plus defender and he could be the long term solution in center. He's a FA after the year so the price shouldn't be to steep (getting Jenks would be a nice fit but not a realistic match,at least not straight-up anyways).'

Ankiel is more of a corner OF than a centerfielder. Also, he has one yr left, but he is a Boras client, he will no doubt 'advise' him to go to the highest bidder, and it would cost A LOT more than just prospects to get AND keep him in a Sox uniform.

Wasnt there a story about how the Sox dont like to deal with Boras? Anyways, you were correct, I checked his stats and he is a CF, my bad. Based on the prosects that it would take for the Cards to give up Ankiel this early into the season and the fact it would only be for the season, I think it would make more sense to find another trading option.

To who? Not to the Mets. It is funny to me that you mock me for suggesting resigning Pedro"

Pedro is washed up. I could have pitched just as well against the Netherlands.

You also didn't want the Mets to trade for Santana. How would a rotation of Pelfrey, Maine, Perez, Livan, and Niese/Garcia/God-knows-who look right now?

Icedrake:
If the Mets didn't get Santana, they would've brought in another ace-type pitcher.

Because Pelfrey is unacceptable as any respectable team's ace.

If the Giants pick up enough of the salary, the Phillies could use a right handed 4th outfielder. San Fran could probably get some use out of Kendrick and Cairo.

At first I was screaming - trying to understand why Williams didn't sign Tavarez before Cincy did. The reason - they believe in Brian Anderson.

Signing Pods is nice, but he's a long shot. So - if we're limited to seeking a lefthanded platoon to give BA a chance to shine - then it's time to trade for Juan Pierre. He's a legit leadoff - the Dodgers have Kemp with Repko and Paul at the ready.

These teams had to have talked this spring at Camelback, but it'll cost Chicago more salary than they want - to get it done.

If the sox want a true CF(which Pierre isnt, hes a good 4th OF who has no arm, but good speed to try to make up for it) why not trade for Repko? He isnt a pure CF, but can play the spot and the COF spots. He wont cost nearly as much in money or prospects as other names thrown around, and he has a good arm.

"i certainly hope you're not trying to make a point that rowand would be the better alternative, based solely on anderson's uzr..."

Not at all whatsoever. Rowand is not a major upgrade from Anderson. I was arguing that Anderson shouldn't be starting for a team that is trying to contend. They can do better than the BA/Wise/Pods trio.

"Um, does Pierre, Schmidt, or Andruw Jones sound familiar??"

Less overall committed money though.

Zito and Rowand combined make almost 200MM. Pierre, Schmidt, and Andruw don't get even close to that combined.

Although Colletti is a moron as well.

I want to throw an interesting name out there for the Sox' CF solution, how about Ryan Spilborghs. He has to be available, especially if a guy like Poreda was dangled in the talks. With Carlos Gonzalez and Dexter Fowler in the wings (I think Gonzalez has some sort of breakout, and then is traded as a CF).

The only reason Gonzalez was in the Holliday deal is because the A's have faith in either Sweeney or Cunningham as the long term CF solution. Gonzalez is not the long term CF solution in Colorado either. However, I don't think his trade value will be high enough for the Rox to flip him now, unless he can land Poreda straight up in a trade (which I don't think KW will do).

"I want to throw an interesting name out there for the Sox' CF solution, how about Ryan Spilborghs. He has to be available, especially if a guy like Poreda was dangled in the talks."

If you're implying that the White Sox would even consider trading Poreda for Spilborghs, then honestly you're mad. He'll be 30 by the end of the season, and he still has never been an everyday center fielder before. If the White Sox are willing to move Poreda, then they can land a much better CF option than Spilborghs.

"If you're implying that the White Sox would even consider trading Poreda for Spilborghs, then honestly you're mad. He'll be 30 by the end of the season, and he still has never been an everyday center fielder before. If the White Sox are willing to move Poreda, then they can land a much better CF option than Spilborghs."

Yeah you're right. Bleh. Academia can take its toll sometimes.

Maybe Clayton Richard, but that's the furthest I go in a trade, the more I think of it. No way I give up Poreda for Spilly. Although Richard for Spilly could be fair.

I'm having a hard time believing the Giants are trying to deal Rowand. He's only been there for a year. Yeah, he's overpaid, but if they're trying to deal an overpaid player whose contract they'll have to eat a significant portion of they need to be focusing on Zito. SF needs offense, they don't need to subtract it. Afaik they aren't exactly hurting payroll wise so why all the sudden deal a player who plays good defense and hits a little?

"No way Poreda is going anywhere for a stop gag at center."

Most entertaining typo ever. Thanks for the laughs.

"If we've learned anything about KW in the last 5 years, its that he will always value pitching over a position player. Poreda is probably the strongest pitching prospect we've had come up through our system in a long time. He's not going anywhere unless he brings in a big piece of the puzzle."

Kenny has been GM for long enough, that if he valued pitching enough, he'd have much more in the farm system. He's made two trades that have brought in good pitchers still with the organization (the Danks and Floyd trades).

But I do agree that Poreda needs to bring in a major piece of the puzzle or not be traded at all.

Poreda for Spilly was a huge academia-induced brainfart.

"Richard would definitely make more sense, but honestly at this point I'd be hesitant to deal him, I'm not really big on depending on Bartolo Colon and Jose Contreras in the rotation at this point. Richard gives the Sox some nice insurance."

Speaking of pitching, do you see the Sox going after a free agent starter in 2010, since Colon and Contreras are FAs then? Maybe a short term deal to one of the injury prone guys or to Brett Myers (who won't get more than 3 years)?

Melonis, brainfarts? Your one of the most logical guys here. BTW, how is your A's looking so far? Don't catch them that much, since I live on the EC.

Anybody got a lefty reliever? We need one bad!!

Whatever happened to Yasser Gomez? He might be better than what we got now.

"Anybody got a lefty reliever? We need one bad!!"

Why not convert Jo-Jo Reyes to a lefty reliever? His long term future is either in a trade or in the pen as a lefty.

I normally HATE the idea of converting SP prospects into relievers, but this is one situation where it would actually make sense.

From the SJ Mercury News:

The Internet rumors have begun for Aaron Rowand, but sources said any trade speculation is premature and the Giants are not actively trying to move him.

Rowand's no-trade provision allows him to select 10 teams to which he can be dealt this season, and the Chicago White Sox are on his list. The following two years, Rowand must submit an annual list of eight teams to which he cannot be dealt.

http://www.mercurynews.com/giantsheadlines/ci_12152162

Bravesfan, the Tigers would gladly give up Clay Rapada if you want to give us Jurrjens back. ;]

All kidding aside, I think that the White Sox should actually make a blockbuster for a center fielder. They have some young arms (Richard), and they should not be shy to give up Gavin Floyd. Why Floyd? He gave up 30 HR last and opponents batted .309 against him last year. Strikeout ratio was only 2 to 1. Trade him now while his value is high.

Just think if the Mets had signed Zito, they would definitely be hurting. Boy would that be a sight watching bombs fly outta Citi field to Laguardia.

"but how about Rowand for Igawa and a mediocre prospect?"

Not crazy, but not really logical either. At&T park isn't really a pitcher's park. Not exactly a hitters haven either, but I wouldn't expect Igawa to do much better in San Francisco and for that matter, there's no open starting jobs, if Sabean wants Igawa, it'd be to turn him into a reliever. All Igawa would serve to do is start to even out the money issue, still a $36M difference. I'd say the Giants would still have to pay a minimum of $16M ($4M a year) and they'd want a good prospect back, not Montero or Jackson, but maybe Melacon.

Dodger fans...lest we forget darren dreifort and kevin brown. The dodgers have set the standard for overpaying players that don't deserve it. Pierre, schmidt, jones, plus those two surely outweigh the zito debacle and the overpayment of rowand. Although I don't think rowands compensation is as far out of whack as everyone makes it out to be. He still has a chance to live up to a significant portion of his contract, not to mention he is tearing the cover off of the ball right now.

"Dodger fans...lest we forget darren dreifort and kevin brown. The dodgers have set the standard for overpaying players that don't deserve it. Pierre, schmidt, jones, plus those two surely outweigh the zito debacle and the overpayment of rowand."

So now it's a competition, eh?

Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, Edgar Renteria, Dave Roberts, Matt Morris, Edgardo Alfonzo.

VS.

Kevin Brown, Jason Schmidt, Juan Pierre, Darren Dreifort, Andruw Jones, Odalis Perez, Andy Ashby.

It's definitely close. You'd think these teams would've learned their lessons after giving out countless long term contracts to pitchers that didn't work out, but nope.

I have a better idea... Perhaps the Giants would do better if they quit MLB and joined the local softball league?

And while their at it, maybe its time for them to move back to New York? Let the A's play in AT&T park.

"No way Poreda is going anywhere for a stop gag at center. If we've learned anything about KW in the last 5 years, its that he will always value pitching over a position player. Poreda is probably the strongest pitching prospect we've had come up through our system in a long time. He's not going anywhere unless he brings in a big piece of the puzzle."

Is that why he traded Gio Gonzalez and Fautino De Los Santos for Nick Swisher? Oh yeah the throw in to that deal was Ryan Sweeney who could be leading off and playing CF for the Sox right now. What a dumb trade that was.

On the Who has Screwed the Free Agent market Pooch worst in It is not even close.

The Bums have had internal options being produced from their farm the last 10 years while the Giant s have not. So the Giants either over pay to put enough above “A’ ball level talent on the 25 man or default the park. The Dodgers had no such restraints but have actively chosen to spend their resources that to create the same problem.

Talk about dumb and dumber.

Colletti learned from Sabean!

Zito's contract is god awful but at least we get a chance to win. Albeit a small one. Schmidt's arm fell off 3 yrs ago.

That being said, I REALLY wish Zito would retire and hone his Twitter skillz.

Brown, Schmidt, Pierre, Dreifort, Jones, and Ashby combined to sign for $310.7M over 25 years, or about $12.4M per season.'

The difference btwn the dodgers and giants is all of their money on bad contracts is from the Sabean era. Ashby, Dreifort and Brown were all from a different era, when no one really knew how bad long term deals for pitchers are. So yes, the dodgers have learned from their mistakes with the current group. Besides, none of those contracts hindered the dodgers for 5 yrs. However, with Rowand and Zito on the payroll, that made the giants not able to go after Manny. Finally, we were able to trade away the worst of the contracts, Brown, to the Yanks, so we were able to get out of bad contracts, while no team is dumb enough to take on those.

"By the way, I meant to say his offense is overrated and his defense sucks, but either way, he is bad."

Rowand? According to the metrics, which are not by any means perfect, Rowand has had only one poor defensive year, which screams outlier. I do agree, however, that Rowand's bat plays much better in a band box like the Cell or CBP where his high FB rate leads to more homers as opposed to long fly outs.

"CF(which Pierre isnt, hes a good 4th OF who has no arm, but good speed to try to make up for it)"

Actually, Pierre IS a pure CF. He is actually a very good fielder. His noodle arm would be a liability at any OF position.

"Hunter's defense is overrated. No way is he 30MM better than Rowand."

The defensive metrics are still quite flawed at this point, especially in dealing with OF contributions. Also, Hunter is the better offensive player and actually appears to have improved his offensive game despite his age. Further, one should consider year by year salary to determine who is worth more. I don't necessarily think Hunter was worth $6 million more per year than Rowand when the contract was signed, but even considering the flaws in the UZR metrics, Hunter was worth more than $4 million more last year.

The Sox should put Alexei Ramirez in CF, as they did on occasion, last year, and have him bat leadoff. Then bring up Gordon Beckham, who should have been on the roster, to play SS. They are going to have to do this eventually, as they already have youngsters at 3rd and at 2nd, with no place for Beckham in the future, if they keep Getz, Fields, and Ramirez. Why trade for a CF if we have enough good youngsters for all 4 positions? Ramirez seems to be the most versatile, and already has the most experience, so put him at leadoff.