So, I was talking yesterday with Craig Landis, Aaron Rowand's agent, and he told me the free-agent center fielder is seeking "market value." The Phillies have indicated they're willing to pay him "market value." So, what's the hold-up? Why don't the Phils and Rowand just strike a deal?Well, there's some uncertainty over what Rowand's "market value" really is.
As I wrote in the 50-center today, the Rowand camp wants to see how much money other teams may offer before Rowand makes any decisions about where he'll play next season. Reading between the lines, Landis doesn't necessarily believe that the three-year, $30 million extension Arizona gave to comparable Eric Byrnes during the season is an accurate barometer of the current economic climate for center fielders. Landis and Rowand would rather wait to see what other free agents -- namely Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and even Mike Cameron -- get on the open market. The first center fielder who signs will set the bar for the others to follow.
So, what does this all mean?
Only that Rowand won't re-sign with the Phillies during the exclusive two-week negotiating period, but nobody expected him to. As a free agent, it's his right to test the market, and I'm pretty sure he and Landis will give the Phillies a chance to match or exceed any offer. "We've waited this long. We’re just going to wait for the official free agency to start, listen to what other interesting offers may be out there, and see what [the Phillies] have to say," Landis said.
For the record, Hunter is saying the same things in Minnesota. The Twins offered him a three-year, $45 million extension in August, and he turned it down, insisting he wanted to test the free-agent waters for the first time and gauge his value from other teams. "I ran all the way to the 1-yard line, and you expect me to fumble right now?" Hunter told the Associated Press yesterday when asked if he'd re-sign with the Twins before hitting the open market. "I'm just trying to figure out what play to call."
OK, you be Pat Gillick. Keeping in mind that you have about $25 million to spend on the 2008 payroll and that you desperately need pitching, how much money would you pay Rowand? How many years would you give him? It'll probably take four years and about $40 million to get it done. Is that something you're willing to give?
*
Cameron's value just took a hit. He has been suspended for the first 25 games of next season for testing positive a second time for a banned stimulant.
3 comments:
I do it. He brings more to the team than numbers. That said, I hope they sign him before some anxious, overzealous fantasy-minded GM goes ahead and gives "Gil Meche-like-money" to someone like Andrew Jones, whos coming off his worst year, setting a false market.
sign him. there's no pitching to be had on this market anyway. might as well allocate it to a good centerfielder who has some pop in his bat. we're gonna have to try and outscore our opponents again this year if we wanna win
If Gillick actually needs that money to get "good" pitching than Isay I can live with Victorino in CF and Werth/Bourne in RF. But if there are not any pitchers available than use it for Rowand.
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