[EmpireWF]

The Giants have signed free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand to a five-year deal. No word on any money details yet.

Baseball Digest Daily :: Giants Sign Rowand!

He was one of the top outfielders available, but he is 30-years old.

Good move?

[Lefty Noob]

Well, we'll have to wait and see the money info first, but - yeah, I think he's a good pick up for the Giants.

[Phils20]

Rowand is a big dissappointment to me. All his talk about his teammates, and then he goes to an 82-80 team, just for the money.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[EmpireWF]

Originally Posted by Phils20

Rowand is a big dissappointment to me. All his talk about his teammates, and then he goes to an 82-80 team, just for the money.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Why should he stay with the Phillies and get paid less than he could on the open market? His teammates wouldn't.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

Why should he stay with the Phillies and get paid less than he could on the open market? His teammates wouldn't.

Because of his stand about how loyal he is to his team mates. And about winning is all that matters. The Giants aren't winning anything, anytime soon.

And players don't always play for money. Scott Rolen was offered more money by the Phils, but wasn't happy here. That I respect. Not what Rowand just did. He could have taken a three year deal, and the Phils would have paid him the same money per year.

Most players I would just accept this from, but he comes off like he is better than that. I guess it is my fault for thinking he was the real deal. Right now I just feel he is a fraud.

[EmpireWF]

You put words into his mouth. He never said he would take a shorter deal to stay in Philly. You took what he said about his teammates as something else.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

You put words into his mouth. He never said he would take a shorter deal to stay in Philly. You took what he said about his teammates as something else.

No, I said the Phils would have signed him for the same money per season, just not as many years. That came from Pat Gillick, during the winter meetings. I never said that Aaron offered to take less years.

And as someone who see's the teams coverage everyday, I think I know a bit more about what he has said over the last two years, in regards to this team and his team mates.

I don't say that to get into a nasty exchange with you about it, but it's a fact. I am pretty sure I have heard a lot more of him than you have, just like you can tell me more about Mets players.

[EmpireWF]

I'm just saying, he may have been offered just as much money per year, but he was probably offered more years by the Giants than the Phillies.

I know what you mean about Rowand talking about being loyal to teammates, but I don't think that has anything to do with him considering a new contract.

----
As for the Giants, he's just the type of player the fans will love. He does run his heart out with every fly ball. I wonder how he'll take to the tricky dimensions at the ballpark.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by EmpireWF

I'm just saying, he may have been offered just as much money per year, but he was probably offered more years by the Giants than the Phillies.

I know what you mean about Rowand talking about being loyal to teammates, but I don't think that has anything to do with him considering a new contract.

----
As for the Giants, he's just the type of player the fans will love. He does run his heart out with every fly ball. I wonder how he'll take to the tricky dimensions at the ballpark.

We are somewhat on the same page. Anyway, I don't think he was worth that much money, or that many years. Since it's not my cash, I didn't care in the end if they gave him 20 mil a year, but I can't see Rowand bing effective, the way he plays, for five years.

The Giants will regret this sigining, in the end.

[ThePundit]

He got $12 million a year for 5 years. A lot of money but I think he's worth it.

He can play centerfield for my team any day of the year. Andruw Jones is a better fielder than him - and that's it....And he's a gutty, gritty winning player.

[njpsufan]

Has to be one of the worst signings this offseason. He plays with a very gritty style and is great in the clubhouse... but he has very little speed or range, a below avg arm, can not hit a breaking ball to save his life. He posts a career year in Philly (in a hitter friendly park) then goes to a major pitchers park. Does anyone really think he will hit close to 30 HR again?? Or close to .300??? No chance. The Phils, and other teams, knew that within 3 yrs he will be unable to play CF and will have to move to LF. So SF is gonna pay $12M/yr for a guy who will be lucky to hit 20 HR, 75 RBI and bat .270. Not exactly great numbers for a corner OF. I don't blame him for taking this deal. If SF wants to improve their image and get a gd clubhouse leader then he is the guy.... I just think this deal will come back to haunt them in years 3,4 and 5.