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Rowand Says He'll Test MarketAaron Rowand filed for free agency this week. But while the Phillies maintain exclusive negotiating rights with him through Nov. 12, his California-based agent said Rowand won't re-sign with the Phils until after he gauges offers from other teams. "Let's say a club says it will pay market value and no more, and a player says he just wants his market value. How do you determine that unless you listen to other offers formally?" Craig Landis said by phone Tuesday. "Market value can only be defined by other offers, and the 2007-08 market hasn't been established yet." "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." Rowand, 30, figures to be courted by several teams after enjoying his best offensive season. He made $4.35 million through arbitration in 2007 and likely will seek a four-year deal that could be worth about $10 million per season. Philadelphia Phillies Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets RealGM Free Agent Report: Aaron RowandAaron Ryan Rowand Age: 30 Position CF 2007 Salary: $4.35 million Awards: 2007 NL All-Star Potential Destinations: Phillies, White Sox, Giants, Rangers, Yankees, Padres, Cubs, Braves, Cardinals, Pirates, Mets, Nationals This is the winter of the center fielder, and though Rowand is far less talented than Torii Hunter and Andruw Jones, there are expected to be more teams interested in signing the former Cal State Fullerton Titan. He is coming off a career year, and any GM would be thrilled to plug his contagious lunch pail style of play and underrated bat into center field. Power Rowand has just 93 career homeruns in 2664 at bats, but he hit 27 in 2007. Only Carlos Beltran, Chris Young and Hunter hit more amongst centerfielders. His slugging percentage of .515 was the second highest of his career behind the .544 he posted in 2004. Citizens Bank Park unquestionably favors hitters, and it favored Rowand. He hit 17 of his 27 homers there, and he had a home slugging percentage of .557 compared to .475 on the road. Average Rowand has hit over .300 twice in his career (.310 in 2004 and .309 in 2007). Since 2004, he and Grady Sizemore are the only centerfielders to have batting averages above .280 (Rowand?s is .289) and to have also hit at least 75 homeruns. Speed Rowand?s stolen base totals have decreased in each of the past four seasons. He topped out at 17 in 2004 and had 6 in 2007. This number can, of course, go back up if he is moved to another part of the lineup or plays on a less homerun friendly team. But as he ages and becomes more of a power hitter, it is unlikely. Defense In centerfield, Rowand has very good range comparable to Sizemore and Torii Hunter. He also had a staggering 11 assists in 2007, despite making just two errors. The tenacity in which he chases down fly balls is, of course, part of Philly folklore. Rowand?s Market Rowand?s agent Craig Landis is seeking a six-year contract in the neighborhood of $84 million. With so many teams in the running, Rowand actually has a decent shot of coming close to that figure, which should make any bidding team nervous. But Gary Matthews Jr. signed a five-year, $50 million contract with the Angels last winter when he was coming off a .313/19/79 season in hitter friendly Texas, which makes the notion of flirting with $14 million per season all the more plausible. Vernon Wells received a seven-year, $126 million extension from Toronto last winter, very generous given the fact that he was still a season away from being on the open market but at the same time less than what a bidding war could have potentially created. Wells was wise to sign that extension, however, due to the centerfield glut this winter, and he was a 2007 disappointment, with an OPS of .706, nearly 200 points less than 2006. Rowand?s numbers since 2004, when he had more than 400 at bats for the first time in his career, compare rather favorably to those of Wells. Wells has hit 20 more homeruns, but Rowand?s .822 OPS is higher than the Toronto centerfielder?s .800. His OPS is just 22 points shy of Andruw Jones? during the same period and is four points higher than Torii Hunter?s. A GM should feel justified in signing Rowand to a deal in the four-year, $60 million range. Philadelphia Phillies Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Phillies: We Don't Want A-Rod
"We will not be pursuing A-Rod," assistant GM Ruben Amaro said, although Rodriguez's availability could inflate the price for other third basemen, namely Lowell. Either way, Amaro said the Phillies will focus on pitching. "If we don't improve our pitching," Amaro said, "everything else is a moot point." Philadelphia Phillies Read the Full Story Discuss Send Feedback Buy Tickets Phillies Oct 2007 Archive
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Count the Phillies as a team not interested in filling their third base need with Alex Rodriguez.