Yardbarker: Aaron Rowand

Blogging the Offseason: San Francisco Giants

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Blogging the Offseason is a 30 team series in which I ask a blogging representative from each MLB team a series of ten questions about their desires and thoughts surrounding the offseason. Check out all of them here.

Today's NL team is the San Francisco Giants and our guest Giants fan Zach from The Big Picture.

1. Will the Giants sign an offseason bat that's actually worth the money, or will they again throw money at someone well past his prime like they did Renteria?
I doubt it. I really do. When guys like Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are the "big names" who want $100 million, I just don't see it as a good investment. They'll probably try to get some smaller names who could make big impacts -- starting with resigning Juan Uribe.

2. Bengie Molina is a free agent this offseason, are you in favor of resigning him or simpling rolling the dice with Buster Posey? What do you think the Giants do?
I like Molina's heart. I like his bat about 30% of the time. I like his handling of the pitchers 80% of the time. BUT HE'S A LIABILITY ON THE BASES! The running joke with Benjie is that it'll take a triple to score him from second.
His contract isn't a major issue, so I'd keep him around to mentor Posey and start really working Posey in there by mid-season.

3. Madison Bumgarner will be in the Giants rotation on what date?
When Penny gets hurt. Is early April too pessimistic?

4. The Giants traded for Freddy Sanchez near the deadline. WHY? And will they pick up his option this offseason?
Don't ask! Hated that trade then and hate it even more now. Aside from giving up a prized prospect (Tim Alderson), they were acquiring a hitter who had little power and couldn't take a walk. He IS EVERY ******* HITTER ALREADY IN THE GIANTS' LINEUP! They resigned him because he's good for 75 games played, a .290 average and 8 homers; Brian Sabean wanted to have a guy who fits right in.

5. Which Giant free agent pitcher do you want on the 2010 roster, Randy Johnson or Brad Penny or both?
Penny hands down. Loved the pick up at the time -- the guy can pitch in the National League. I think a lot of teams would love him as their first starter.

6. What would it take for you as a Giant fan to be ok with Sabean dealing either Lincecum or Cain?
Let's keep names out of this:
-Your two best hitters
-Your best pitcher
-A free night with the hottest wife
-Cash considerations
-Your first-round pick the next three years
-A 24-pack of beer (and not the bad ****, either)
-A high-paying job in your organization
-Maybe your second-best pitcher too

7. You've gassed your owner and have convinced him to spend like the Yankees, which three free agents do you sign?
Yikes. Bad year for that. For the Giants' needs, I'd go:
1. Matt Holliday
2. Carl Crawford
3. Josh Beckett

8. Which Giant prospect are you most looking forward to in 2010?
I'll give the nod to Posey over Bumgarner because I forgot what it looks like to see someone hit well.

9. I'm giving you the option to cut players without any salary repercussions, which Giants do you part way with?

Aaron Rowand
Randy Winn
Edgar Renteria
Ryan Garko
Freddy Sanchez
Fred Lewis

You were expecting me to say Zito, huh?
Any batter who can't draw a walk or sacrifice a runner is wasted space in my book.

10. Final Question, you've got a crystal ball, the Giants win the NL West in...
2011

The GM Meetings Begin Today

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 10:07:36 -0500

I had thought of something to write about these meetings and then realized I didn’t really care. Nothing will happen that wouldn’t have happened without the meetings. We’ll hear a few rumors over the next few days and read about how the GM Meetings lay the groundwork for trades that take place weeks later or don’t even take place at all. I’m pretty sure the GMs can lay the groundwork for trades without being in the same location. I’m not really sure w...

Building A Cubs Champion: 2010 Edition

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:15:22 -0500

by Charles Rex Arbogast - AP Like it or not, one of the keys to the Cubs' success in 2010 is a resurgence by Alfonso Soriano. Here, he launches his game-winning grand slam vs. the Astros last July 27. View full size photo » Last year about this time, I made this post discussing what I thought should be the makeup of the 2009 Cubs. Brave, isn't it, of me to post that link when I'd just as soon forget ab...

Hypothetically Speaking: Would You Trade Kosuke Fukudome for Aaron Rowand?

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:05:00 -0500

This continues the series of hypothetical trades involving players with high salaries that would be consummated during the offseason. To view more of these trades, click here and here. Hypothetically speaking, let's say that the Cubs have determined that they need to trade the disappointing Kosuke Fukudome in order to acquire a legit center fielder. One of the Cubs' biggest weaknesses this season was that they had no center fielder. Milton Bradley, Alfonso Soriano, and Fukudome could ...

Today in Philly Sports History: Dykstra Breaks Collarbone for Second Time, 1991

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 08:00:00 -0500

Before Aaron Rowand and Shane Victorino were running into walls for fly balls, the Phils had a center-fielder by the name of Lenny Dykstra with a propensity for going a little too all-out. Nails had already broken his collarbone once in the 1991 season, after getting into a car crash with Darren Daulton on the way home from John Kruk's bachelor party (a night that has since become firmly ensconced in Phillies lore), but as we all know, real Philly outfielders fail to learn from their mis...

Post-Game Thread: Giants Concede the Season

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:41:36 -0500

Liveblogging the end of the game.... 8:19: Runner on first, no one out, and Aaron Rowand strikes out on three pitches. Do I mail a check for those postseason tickets, or is there a way to use my debit card? 8:28: If Howry blows this -- hey, look, a rookie outfielder is due to hit fourth! -- I'm not even going to blame him. He's pitched well enough this year, and he's been a fine fourth bullpen option. On a normal team with a non-wretched offense, he'd be a quiet, un...

Giants Beat Rockies In Round 1 Of Wild Card Battle

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 13:10:24 -0500

Final Score: Giants – 6 Rockies – 3 I’m not sure what was more entertaining. The fact that the Giants proved me totally wrong by not only winning a huge game on the road, but, the fact they scored 6 runs or Duane Kuiper’s hilarious botched homerun call. Aaron Rowand is still waiting for his apology. I’ve never [...]

White Sox Interested In Rowand?

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:11:00 -0500

The White Sox reportedly have some interest in Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand. Rowand, who his hitting .290 with 2 HR in 31 at-bats this season, is a career .283 hitter. The White Sox are looking to add a center fielder after learning that DeWayne Wise separated his shoulder in the outfield. The Giants would have to take on a serious portion of his 44 million dollar contract to make this trade happen, and at this point the Giants may not be looking to trade their vetera outfielder.
This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Thanks for that, but screw you.

Sun, 11 May 2008 05:24:58 -0500

I appreciate everything Aaron Rowand did for the Phillies. He brought grit and tenacity to the clubhouse, and put up some decent numbers while here only 2 seasons. "The Catch" is a story I'll be telling my son about in years to come. However, I bleed Phillies red and I could give less than two pinches of poop if he ever collects another hit in his career. All I know is that Gillick tried to re-sign Fence-Face to a shorter contract (believed to be 3 years) with substantial money ...

Aaron Rowand is an idiot...Here's Why

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:48:19 -0500

It's not about the money huh? This is a horrible move on Rowand part. Oh well, enjoy the cash.

Aaron Rowand Signs With San Francisco

Wed, 12 Dec 2007 20:58:19 -0500

As of now, he's pretty much the only offensive threat in that lineup.

Rowand to Test Free-Agent Market

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:44:37 -0500

Rowand made $4.35 million in 2007 and is reportedly seeking a 4-year deal that could be worth $10 million per season. He is coming off career-highs in just about every offensive category. His biggest impact, however, might be his presence in the clubhouse, where he was one of the most respected leaders on a Phillies team that made the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Playing Tag Can Be Hazardous To Your Health

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 19:48:06 -0500

Aaron Rowand hurt his left shoulder playing Tag!!! I don't know about you, but if I got hurt like that, I'd be coming up with a different story.