News: Rowand Signs with Giants

December 12, 2007 at 16:16 pm · 71 comments

by Brandon Eddy

According to ESPN.com, the Giants have signed free-agent OF Aaron Rowand to a five-year contract.

Rowand hit .309 with 27 home runs and 89 RBI with the Phillies last season.

{ 71 comments }

jamie December 12, 2007 at 4:20 pm

and this season he hits .275/.325/.420 with 10 HRs. But they’ll be gritty HRs.

Roach2 December 12, 2007 at 4:23 pm

His passion will ooze in every HR trot

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 4:26 pm

Joe Morgan loves Aaron Rowand.

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm

Joe Morgan is nearly brain dead.

zer09 December 12, 2007 at 4:50 pm

i’ll take the honor…
+10

chicowalkersucksballs December 12, 2007 at 5:52 pm

Somebody has to tell Sabean that he no longer has a team that actually is going to compete any time soon…might be time to make a few deals along the lines of what the Orioles are doing, in this case, trading Lincecum for somebody else’s entire farm system might be a good thing in the long-term.

Unless they can lure Jeff Fassero out of retirement….in that case, all bets are off.

Roach2 December 12, 2007 at 6:27 pm

No…we’re considering doing that (Fassero)…not kidding

chicowalkersucksballs December 12, 2007 at 8:17 pm

Thank god we’re going after Fassero, if we had him for the stretch run last season I am positive he would have been able to get Miguel Cabrera, Hanley Ramirez and Austin Kearns out.

Only a matter of time I suppose before Livan Hernandez comes to Shea too….get the buffet tables ready.

8isEnough December 12, 2007 at 4:21 pm

Mad dog must be in Doggie Heaven on the Fan.

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:31 pm

Mad dog’s opinion of this trade is whatever the fat man’s opinion is. I agree Mike. Yea, Mike. Mike, you’re dead on.

8isEnough December 12, 2007 at 4:34 pm

Say somethin’ funny mike.

mrose December 12, 2007 at 4:43 pm

not a trade points guy, -1 lol

Ceetar December 12, 2007 at 4:22 pm

Aww..no more CF for the Phillies…awww…so sad.

DerangedHermit December 12, 2007 at 4:26 pm

Don’t they have Victorino?

Charlie December 12, 2007 at 4:35 pm

Yes, in IMO, Victorino is the more explosive player and just as good defensively.

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:36 pm

+2

mrose December 12, 2007 at 4:42 pm

Victorino is their Endy Chavez….I truly think you give him a full season, he’ll bat like…240 but yea, he’ll play solid D…

GravediggerHebner December 12, 2007 at 4:48 pm

“Victorino is their Endy Chavez”

then I hope they trade him to the Cubs for Jason Marquis. Would love to see the Mets bat more often against him rather than see him in the Mets rotation.

mrose December 12, 2007 at 5:04 pm

haha agreed

Hit The Weights Zeile December 12, 2007 at 5:43 pm

victorino is explosive? he had 38 extra base hits in 450 at bats. if he were on the mets we’d say hes a OF version of rey ordonez.

Ferd C December 12, 2007 at 6:02 pm

That’s like calling Reyes another Ordonez. He got 60 extra base hit in 681 AB’s. Not a huge difference from Victorinos rate. 38/456

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 4:22 pm

Why are the Giants still signing players? Their team is failing, and they just lost their best offensive player. I know! Lets give up a draft pick by signing Rowand!

BillyGoat December 12, 2007 at 4:35 pm

their #5 pick is protected…phils get a sandwich plus a 2nd rounder

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 5:11 pm

Oh, well that’s a horse of a different color!

Achilles400 December 12, 2007 at 4:24 pm

I posted this in another spot, but Rowand basically sold his baseball soul for an extra year. SF fields the worst starting lineup in baseball, loses a first round pick by signing him and gets marginally better. Glad Rowand is out of the NL East, but he now will spend five years in last place. I can’t wait to see how he spins this. Gonna talk of all the potential on the Giants and the bright future. No bullpen, 40 year old SS, no third baseman, Wynn in right, no need to go on. Their best player is Molina!

Just one time, I’d like a ballplayer to just say he took the money and really doesn’t care how bad the team is.

Roach2 December 12, 2007 at 4:40 pm

Rowand is Pomona, CA born and raised.

Not quite home, but is closer than Philly, Texas or Chicago

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 5:13 pm

On the playground is where he spent most of his days. Chillin’ out maxin’; relaxin all cool. Shootin’ some b-ball outside of the school. When a couple of guys who were up to no good, started making trouble in his neighborhood. He got in one little fight and his mom got scared she said “you’re moving with your aunti and uncle in Bel Aire.”

vinluvr December 12, 2007 at 5:33 pm

hey, having lived in SF for 4 glorious years, I will never criticize anyone who chooses to take a good-paying job there. it is one of the greatest places in the world to live, especially if you’re a vin lover!

Hit The Weights Zeile December 12, 2007 at 4:25 pm

terrible move by san fran. but hey im not complaining get this guy out of the east and off the phils. i hope they pad that brick wall or this could get ugly.

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:32 pm

this or HE?

Hit The Weights Zeile December 12, 2007 at 4:48 pm

touche

Jared Blank December 12, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Charlie December 12, 2007 at 4:37 pm

Tampa is the last stop for declining players. Sad, Cliffy, very sad.

Metro41 December 12, 2007 at 4:25 pm

Giants have pitching and Rowand solidifies part of their up the middle defense. That’s a big outfield and fly balls will die in his glove. Very smart signing. Giants have excellent defense at C, SS, and CF as a result.

bustamets07 December 12, 2007 at 4:28 pm

to bad they only see him playing center for 2 years at the most

Achilles400 December 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm

The kid they got from Pittsburgh for Morris is just as good defensively as Rowand. The giants were desperate to sign anyone in the wake of Bonds. Problem is most players see SF for what it is, an awful franchise at this point, years from competing.

SF is a great town, the only place I would live outside of NY, but it was only Rowand’s lust for a 5th year that landed him in this baseball wasteland. And on top of that, SF fans will not appreciate his “gritty” play. They don’t even pay attention at the games.

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:33 pm

They were desperate for pitching last year. Look what they did. Bunch of clowns over there.

Yogi December 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm

No Willis, Cabrera or Rowand..National League Least may be the place to be.

Achilles400 December 12, 2007 at 4:32 pm

Renteria, gone as well!

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 5:14 pm

They don’t need Renteria – They have Yunel Escobar, who is amazing.

nrmax88 December 12, 2007 at 10:25 pm

Yunel Escobar is amazing? Why? He hits for a nice average, but its all singles, doesnt hit for power, doesnt steal any bases, and doesnt walk much. He is a nice little player, but pretty average. Plus he is already 25.

Achilles400 December 12, 2007 at 4:35 pm

Just listening to Sports radio out here in SF. Brian Sabean, the GM, is desperately trying to spin this as a major coup. Funny thing is they are talking about batting him 5th, when they don’t even ahve a 4 hitter. I guess Aurelia gets that spot by default. Dave Roberts in left. Man I’m gonna get alot of prime tix for free out here this season.

jamie December 12, 2007 at 4:40 pm

they’re going to be teeeerrrrrrrrrible. ugh. but as you say, bad baseball means good seats when your favorite team comes to town.

supermannino December 12, 2007 at 4:47 pm

Yeah…even though the Giants suck, those Crab Louie sandwiches don’t. And gimme some garlic fries while I watch the Mets sweep them in June.

chicowalkersucksballs December 12, 2007 at 5:58 pm

Orlando Cepeda’s Cha Cha bowl (behind centerfield) is also great.

tinathemetsgrl December 12, 2007 at 4:46 pm

Good. We get Rowand, Jones, Cabrera, and Willis out of the National League East.

GravediggerHebner December 12, 2007 at 4:51 pm

and Glavine back into it, so to speak

also, this has nothing to do with anything but I just love it so:

JASON GIAMBI, NEW YORK YANKEES: I know there’s been a lot of distractions, you know, over the past year. And I wanted to apologize for all those, you know, distractions from the bottom of my heart. You know, I take full responsibility for it, and I’m sorry.

MEForeman December 12, 2007 at 4:49 pm

Once again, the phillies losing rowand will impact them more than the phillies getting lidge. They now don’t have a 4th OF. We have 5.

Kalihan42 December 12, 2007 at 4:56 pm

I think the good news is that him being off the market might increase the trade value of Church if we decide to trade him. This is the year to meed CFers

metsrbest December 12, 2007 at 4:58 pm

Now if we can only somehow get Ryan Howard and Chase Utley out of the NL East we’ll really all be set!

Number41 December 12, 2007 at 5:29 pm

trade them for Santana!
+2

firemetmanagement December 12, 2007 at 5:12 pm

How long can this pathetic Met franchise lay dormant? They do zero offseason and so far this offseason they’ve also lay dormant sans downgrading Milledge and LoDuca to church and Schneider. Ante up, Freddie Coupons- why not sign Rowand or
Fukudome or SOMEBODY?!! How about getting involved with a few of these good Japanese relievers? I mean the Indians and Rangers and Devil Rays seem very interested…why not the Mets? Why not throw 3 or 4 million per year for 2 years at one of these guys…Freddie has the money. Guess we are going to come back with the same bunch of choking relievers.

pitchers and chokers report february 16th for the Mets

JohnMilner December 12, 2007 at 5:21 pm

How long can this pathetic Met fan complain? Why not try laying dormant for a while?

supermannino December 12, 2007 at 5:23 pm

Till Feb 16th?

JohnMilner December 12, 2007 at 5:25 pm

lol – thanks

JetsnMets December 12, 2007 at 5:25 pm

STFU already.

CaseStreet December 12, 2007 at 5:51 pm

Matt, plz fire firemetmanagement.

How long can this pathetic Met blog lay dormant? Ante up, Matt Cerrone- why not FIRE FIREMETMANAGEMENT?!! Why not throw 3 or 4 million per year for 20 years to get him off this blog…Freddie has the money. Guess we are going to come back with the same bunch of crazy annoying mets fans

crazy annoying mets fans. get them out of here now.

TRADE FIREMETMANAGEMENT! DO IT NOW!
TRADE FIREMETMANAGEMENT! DO IT NOW!
TRADE FIREMETMANAGEMENT! DO IT NOW!
TRADE FIREMETMANAGEMENT! DO IT NOW!
TRADE FIREMETMANAGEMENT! DO IT NOW!

CaseStreet December 12, 2007 at 5:52 pm

Just get rid of him.

nyjim December 12, 2007 at 6:11 pm

werd seriously, we mets fans like we need another pessimist in state, also wy your at it make sure that kid ‘metsgenius’ doesn’t come back too~!

nyjim December 12, 2007 at 6:11 pm

we are mets fans*

squad December 12, 2007 at 8:12 pm

162 game averages for Rowand and Church:

Rowand’s: 18 HR 66 RBI .286/.343/.462 106OPS+

Church: 16 HR 71 RBI .271/.348/.462 113OPS+

Why pay more for Rowand?

nrmax88 December 12, 2007 at 10:31 pm

You would rather have Rowand then Church? Why? Church has better lifetime numbers, at a fraction of the cost. You just dont know anything about the guy. Against righties he outperformed every met in 2007 besides Wright and Beltran. Saying Schneider is a downgrade from Lo Duca is an absolute joke. I dont even know how to respond to something like that. You have 2 guys, neither can hit, though Schneider reaches base at a higher level, meanwhile schneider is a top 3 defensive catcher in baseball, and lo duca is not even close to that. So we get a new catcher who got on base at a clip of like 20 points higher, and plays much much better de, and yet that is a downgrade. Also, Church will out perform Milledge in 2008, it is a gauruntee. Milledge is still learning. Probably 2009 also. I feel bad for your parents. It must be embarrasing taking you to restaurants and stuff. Why dont you just go root for the yankees?

mrose December 12, 2007 at 5:39 pm

why do you care when pitchers and catchers come back? your obviously not a fan or have much knowledge of baseball.

I’m beginning to think your a 12 year old kid who’s crying himself to sleep everyday because the Mets aren’t following what you do on MLB 2k7 or whatever.

Will you stop flooding threads with your nonsensical rambling. You say nothing new, at least everyone else that posts here, whether it be positive or negative to the Mets knows how to have different opinions and arguments.

I’ve still yet to see you support your ramblings with any TRUE facts, but I have seen you lash out at another user who DARE call you out on just being a little girl.

I come to read the comments to get a broad range of what other fans think, your wasting everyone’s time, your not even funny anymore.

third attempt to post this..ugh

supermannino December 12, 2007 at 5:41 pm

Maybe “he” is a little girl who has an awesome Mets team in franchise mode on 2k7.

Hit The Weights Zeile December 12, 2007 at 5:48 pm

hes a mets fan version of gerome that always calls steve sommers. “SIGN SOMEBODY!” just sign someone for the sake of signing them, that always works out for the mets.

supermannino December 12, 2007 at 6:02 pm

Sign Bobby Bonilla, Vince Coleman, and Mo Vaughn. That should make him happy. Can Vaughn have 42 back, or will he need a different number? Because of his greatness, I think that MLB should allow this special “posthumous” allowance for big Mo.

cousinrk December 12, 2007 at 5:58 pm

So to all the people who are putting the Mets in third place. The Phils who were 1 game ahead of the Mets, have added Brad Lidge and lost Aaron Rowand. Yup they are definately head and shoulders ahead of the Mets after their offseason.

The Braves added Glavine and lost Jones and Renteria and they are also better. Yeah, drug tests for everyone please.

supermannino December 12, 2007 at 6:03 pm

And you’re not even mentioning the loss of Cabrera.

Then again, the way everyone is talking, I guess the Nats are the frontrunners now with the great Lastings and LoDuca (with a chip on his shoulder).

Achilles400 December 12, 2007 at 6:16 pm

Bruce Bochy just said Randy WINN is the #3 hitter for SF, where he did a great job last year and MOLINA will be the #4 hitter. Man, I am not going to complain about the Met lineup, no matter how old Delgado and Alou are. Schneider and Church would be 3,4 for SF! Keep saying it aloud Bruce, by Spring Training you may have accepted it and stopped crying. Smart move leading San Diego.

napes22 December 12, 2007 at 4:30 pm

haha

points guy December 12, 2007 at 4:32 pm

love it

+10

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