Don’t sign Rowand
I have come out of my long period of blogging hibernation to send a simple message to Pat Gillick. Bringing back Aaron Rowand would be a terrible mistake. Don’t get me wrong I am a huge fan of Rowand. After “The Catch” how could you not be?
However, I have a few points to make. First Rowand’s last season was a classic career year for a player in the final year of his contract. According to reports Rowand who is 30 wants at least a five-year deal. 30 years of age is about the time a player’s production starts to decline. I don’t believe Rowand will experience a precipitous drop in his offensive output next season. But, my baseball intuition tells me by the end of his contract Rowand will be a huge burden. I’m thinking of Pat Burrell here.
In addition there is reason to believe that Rowand’s golden glove may turn to wood. I can practically hear Phillie Phans yelling at their screens but stay with me for a second. In years past Rowand has played a first rate center field and he certainly deserved his first Gold Glove award. Despite his record of stellar play, age again dictates the end of the status quo for Rowand. Aaron has never had a good arm or good speed. His success as a center fielder is a product of his ability to read balls with ease and his willingness to sacrifice his body. At 34 and 35 Rowand’s average speed will have become sub-par and his lack of arm strength will be become woefully obvious.
Finally the Phillies led the league in runs by a large margin the past two seasons. Therefore they can afford a slight decrease in their offensive stats that would accompany the departure of Rowand. It would also give Pat Gillick the flexibility to bring in another quality starter.
Source:
Picture from 6abc.com
3 comments:
You can make the point his production will decrease with age but his leadership/attitude will remain his biggest attribute. If he were to become a defensive liability, move him to Left. He couldn't be worse mobility-wise than Burrell has been the last few years. Maybe we could find a legit leadoff hitter to play center so we don't have our entire team trying to hit homeruns and getting swept away in the playoffs.
I understand that if the Phils have a budget stay under, signing Rowand would be difficult. I think that too often players are based solely on stats. I want winners and gamers on my team - Rowand is clearly both.
While your points are understood, Rowand was one guy who wasn't scared to tell guys on the team how it is.
We have had too many pretty-boy types on this team in the past and Rowand wasn't having it. Losing him could put us right back in the same spot.
Look at what happened to the mighty White Sox when he left. They under-estimated his presence and forgot to realize that although they could make up for his stats, they couldn't make up for the rest.
Your leadership point is well taken. However, this is not the Phillies of 2005 who were being "led" by Jim Thome and Bobby Abreu. This team has Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, and Ryan Howard. All of those guys are glue that kept the Phillies together.
The one gamble with Rowand leaving is chemistry. It's impossible to know what effect Rowand's replacement on the roster would have inside the club house. But for that I trust in Grandpa Charlie and the above mentioned players to set the tone.
Moving him to left is an interesting idea but I'm not sure the Phillies need another corner outfielder with little power. The point about Rowand's decline was that when it does happen it will happen quickly and he may find himself out of baseball.
A lot has been made of the White Sox missing Rowand. Remember who that they replaced him with Brian Anderson who struggled to hit over the Mendoza line. The Phillies have Shane Victorino who won't outproduce Aaron but will provide solid numbers.
This whole series of arguments begs the question, "Is it worth to pay Rowand for six years if he only can give two years of quality play." The answer isn't clear but my opinion is when the Phillies win their second NL East Division title in a row we will have fond but distant memories of Aaron Rowand.
Fair enough but winning the NL East title isn't exactly what I would call a success. I want more than that. Look where that got us this year.
I agree Utley is your prototypical leader by example but I do not agree that Rollins is a good leader. I am a "beyond avid" soccer fan and there is a saying that goes like this, "when your career is over, you aren't judged by anything besides the team trophies you have won." (See Tracy McGrady)
Who gives a fcuk about MVP's or All-Star appearences or any of that. The point of games is to WIN!Rollins has been in the league for 8 years and has been to the playoffs once and got swept away quicker than he goes 1st to 3rd.
That quote insinuates that you do WHATEVER IT TAKES to get W's. That means stop trying to hit home-runs all the time. Or don't hit lead-off. How many teams have won the World Series with leadoff hitters like that? I can think of one.. Toms River with that Frazier kid in the LLWS 12 years ago.
Rollins is obviously a great talent but not a player I want leading the team. Remember the game to clinch the EAST when he dropped the bunt and stole 2nd then 3rd and scored. The whole team was raving after the game about how that set the tone and blah blah. Where is that the rest of the season?!? The same idea applies to the playoffs when he was K'ing and the rest of the team followed suit..
Point is that Rowand showed this team how to win and I am not confident with the leadership if he leaves. Simple as that.
There is no garuntee whatsoever that his production will drop off. Remember, he was fully healthy for the first time in several years last year.
At the same time, I am not asking them to over-pay and over-extend the length of his contract.
What I am saying is that if it is even within the realm of possibility to bring the guy back, we should. We are not in a position to GUESS that we will be "good enough" without him.
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