Giants Front Office strikes again

GS Warriors 1 · Post #1 » by **GS Warriors 1** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:38 pm

Giants signed Aaron Rowand.

Aaron **** Rowand to a 5 year deal, Stark of ESPN speculates that its around $60M. 5 years/$60M for someone that is only good at running into the **** wall. Stark went on ESPNews and said that he had a hard time finding somebody that would give him more than 3 years. This is by far the worst signing of the offseason.

Congratulations to Sabean and McGowan for having the worst offseason in baseball for the 2nd year in a row! A great job out-bidding yourselves again(see Molina, Roberts, Zito, and now Rowand).

Post #2 » by **Stanford** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:46 pm

I agree it's a bad signing, but if this is what keeps us from trading away Tim or Matt, I'm all for it.

RIPskaterdude · Post #3 » by **RIPskaterdude** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:53 pm

After "trying" to sign several different free agents, the Giants saw themselves without a "real deal" free agent and panicked. They tried to trade away their future for a quick fix, but saw the Giants fans screaming foul over trading away Timmy or Matt. Rowand has been having a hard time getting a 3 year deal and suddenly....

BRIAN SABEAN TO THE RESCUE!!!

Jero17 · Post #4 » by **Jero17** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:26 pm

Stanford wrote:I agree it's a bad signing, but if this is what keeps us from trading away Tim or Matt, I'm all for it.

I don't get it, you bash my comments on Sabean overpaying for Rowand, and here you are co-signing?

My reason for bashing Sabean is because the Giants are in a re-building process. You don't sign 2nd tier players to 5 yr deals if you're in a rebuilding process. I can't recall whether he batted in front of or behind Ryan Howard, but if he's the only bat in the Giants lineup, those numbers wouldn't stick.

The bottom line IMO is that Sabean lost out in almost every free agent signing this year so far, and put the franchise at risk by signing Rowand to a 5 year deal. I'm not trying to say Rowand is a horrible player, but at this stage in a "rebuilding" process, it's unnecessary. Yes I want bats, but not at the expense of the franchises future.

I am under the assumption that the team is actually re-building and not expecting to contend. This just throws a curveball out there and has me (and probably alot of other people) wondering whether or not they want to contend next season.

If Sabean can somehow get a Matsui for Sanchez deal going, then I won't feel so bitter. As for right now, Rowand is a sitting duck in our lineup. Assuming he bats clean up, who follows up? Bengie? That is by far the worst lineup in the league. Deal for Matsui and somehow pick up Lamb/Ensberg, then we have a legit lineup. But if this is the only addition we make for the upcoming year, we're screwed.

Post #5 » by **Stanford** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 11:33 pm

Jero17 wrote:I don't get it, you bash my comments on Sabean overpaying for Rowand, and here you are co-signing?

No... I never said signing Aaron Rowand was good idea. I just didn't understand why signing Rowand was so bad yet you were so in favour of giving Fukudome 13 million a year.

opzoneworld · Post #6 » by **opzoneworld** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 12:34 am

I like the signing...but not for 5 years.

I think this is -exactly- the type of player you want to put young players around. Rowand is an energy guy with a lot of heart and some good skills. No, he is no superstar but he will show up to work every day and bust his hump while there. You need players like this on a "rebuilding" team.

A famous quote I heard once, "in order to win a championship you need the right mix of overpaid players and underpaid players". Rowand is overpaid for sure but he should be a good fit for this organization in this stage of life.

If you all remember Cain and Lin were very upset last year when the Giants traded Morris. Not because Morris was great or anything but because he was a great teacher for them. Cain and Lin grew up a lot last year in front of our eyes because of (maybe only because of) Morris. I see Rowand in the same light. Again, not worth 5 years but I am glad to have him on the Giants.

I give the deal a B-

Jero17 · Post #7 » by **Jero17** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:32 am

Stanford wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

No... I never said signing Aaron Rowand was good idea. I just didn't understand why signing Rowand was so bad yet you were so in favour of giving Fukudome 13 million a year.

No harm intended. I'm deployed in the middle of no where and have the offseason moves (or lack thereof) to pass my days. It's pretty frustrating. Maybe I wasn't so specific in my reasoning, but this is how I see it.

From the numbers that I have seen from Fukudome, I see him contributing more to our lineup, not so much for power, but more for contact and OBP.

Rowand has posted decent numbers throughout his career, but the .889 OPS was the best in his career. I would like to hope that those are the beginning of his prime numbers, but you never know when/if those numbers will slide. We'll definitely find out in the next five years. With Rowand's 5 year contract demands, he definitely wasn't worth it in my eyes. Fukudome has had great numbers that have held consistent throughout his years. (I'm going to assume they translate to a hair below Ichiro numbers) For a 3 year contract, I would have been more inclined to giving him 13 mil rather than Rowand for 5 years.

Since the deal is done, I would like to see some support around Rowand in the lineup. I'm still reading rumors of the Matsui for Sanchez+ deal still being on the table and I believe he has 2 more years left on his contract. I don't think that would be a bad pickup in this stage. Some say no one may pick up Feliz, but if they do Morgan Ensberg @ 3B? I dunno. Just a thought.

EJS99 · Post #8 » by **EJS99** » Thu Dec 13, 2007 10:35 am

Rowand is a good move. I won't debate about the economics of baseball cuz it make no sense anyways and they're all overpaid IMO. The signing signals that the Giants won't move Cain or Lincecum.

They need to address third base. Feliz is a possibility unless some other team gives him a 3-yr contract. So far, I haven't heard any team willing to do that which could mean it could be a good chance him coming back. Unfortunately, it sounds that Feliz would be their first choice.

I'm not too excited with Ortmeier as the starting first baseman. I don't see him as a everyday player. I rather see Schierholtz get a shot. He played third in the past. Give him a chance.

FaTaL · Post #9 » by **FaTaL** » Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:24 am

im not excited about rowand but keeping cain and lincecum is the most important thing.

Post #10 » by **Hopper15** » Mon Dec 24, 2007 8:30 pm

If we're gonna be bad, let's be bad with a low payroll and save it for top tier guys as they become available. Sabean just sucks.

Nothing against Rowand, but he's not going to take this team to another level.

GswStorm3 · Post #11 » by **GswStorm3** » Wed Dec 26, 2007 9:19 pm

Hopper15 wrote:If we're gonna be bad, let's be bad with a low payroll and save it for top tier guys as they become available. Sabean just sucks.

Nothing against Rowand, but he's not going to take this team to another level.

Not developing better position talent is the biggest problem.

opzoneworld · Post #12 » by **opzoneworld** » Thu Dec 27, 2007 12:17 am

That appears to be changing but we will only be able to tell with time.