Rowand to the Sox??

[beck72]

So, when Rowand's contract expires after 2007, who exactly will replace him? It's ridiculous to trade Anderson because we couldn't possibly receive anything of value.

 

Considering all the faith Williams and his staff have put into Anderson, they should atleast give him an opportunity. They're the ones who would appear foolish dealing Rowand and Young, then again reacquiring Rowand because the one OF you kept turned out bad.

I could see Anderson going to AAA. You're right. Anderson might not get much value, Though some teams could use him. And I think the sox would be able to sign Aaron pretty quickly to a deal. Then mid-yr Anderson could be dealt.

 

Yet with the Rowand talk, getting him back doesn't seem that far fetched. And I don't think KW really cares about looking "foolish". They dealt Young to get stronger SP. And Vazquez should make the deal look better this yr. KW and the coaching staff want a stronger bottom of the order this yr and an extra dose of speed. Anderson still might not make that happen this yr. Rowand would.

 

If Anderson doesn't pan out--and spending more time in AAA would allow him to work on his hitting--it's not a complete waste. The sox were trying to work in a young hitter into a repeating world series champion team, while getting a LHP power bat and a strong SP.

[Baines3]

And this is rumor number 1,247 about Rowand coming back. Let it go, people.

 

I'll believe Rowand coming back when I see it. I don't believe a word of it.

[DBAHO]

Rowand Post 2006 ASB - .257/.327/.407

Anderson Post 2006 ASB - .257/.301/.393

 

There's not a HUGE difference there is there. Have a look at the possible logjam of OF's we could have if we acquired Rowand for some bullpen pieces;

 

Podsednik

Erstad

Dye

Rowand

Anderson

Mackowiak

Ozuna

Terrero

Eduardo Perez (would hit against lefties in a corner OF spot).

 

We'd only be carrying what about 5 guys out of that group as well.

[103 mph screwball]

Anderson might be able to put up Rowand numbers. Rowand does.

 

Anderson is talented but on Ozzie's bad side for too many party's and questionable attitude. Rowand is grinder poster boy and makes the most of less talent.

 

Anderson is considered by many fans a 2006 question mark. Rowand is a fan favorite.

 

Anderson will have to further develop on a team that wants to win now. Rowand has been at starting CF on a champion.

 

Anderson seems to be well liked in the club house. Rowand is loved and missed.

 

Anderson is cheap. Who cares 3 million fans can help pay for Rowand.

 

Logic may support Anderson as do many very bright Soxtalk members. What I've seen, my gut feeling, and probably Reinsdorf support Rowand.

 

I think KW could have gotten ARow in the Garcia trade if he had been creative, but decided to stick with Anderson. I think KW could change his mind and there may be substance to this rumor. I like Anderson, but I would not be against Rowand's return. Can you just imagine the smile on his face at the press conference and the hugs when he joins the team? Anderson can go to AAA in case Erstad or Pods gets injured and to replace a possible free agent departure next year. I'd like to see the starters be Dye and the best 2 of the following 3... Erstad, Pods, Rowand. ARow and Erstad have CF covered. Mack and Ozuna can cover corners if needed.

 

Bench: Hall C, Erstad CF RF 1B, Ozuna LF PR 3B SS, Cintron SS 2B 3B, Mackowiak LF RF 1B 3B 2B emergency C. NO CF.

 

AAA Owens, Anderson, Sweeny. AAA may be just the eye opening kick in the ass Anderson needs.

[Gregory Pratt]

When discussing Rowand's post-ASB numbers, we should point out that he was dealing with injuries and their after-effects.

Will BA be better than him? Perhaps.

 

I'd take Rowand, though. I've never been high on BA.

 

Good post Screw.

[Kalapse]

Logic may support Anderson as do many very bright Soxtalk members. What I've seen, my gut feeling, and probably Reinsdorf support Rowand.

And what is this price you're willing to pay for mediocrity?

 

And for a positive in Anderson's favor that was not listed, Brian is the better defensive player with both of them having equally inaccurate arm's.

 

When discussing Rowand's post-ASB numbers, we should point out that he was dealing with injuries and their after-effects.

Then can we substitute Rowand's s***ty post '06 AS break numbers for his nearly identically s***ty post '05 AS break numbers?

[Gregory Pratt]

Sure.

I was just pointing out that he was battling injuries for much of the second half.

 

That Brian Anderson was tied offensively with a guy who'd been involved in collisions with teammates and walls, and who hadn't had a particularly impressive season since 2004, isn't very impressive to me.

[3 BeWareTheNewSox 5]

Look at those factors on both sides. Such as Anderson getting a lot of his ABs early only against lefties. When there was any mediocre righty that everyone could light up, Rob was put in. CC or Johan? Brian. Or how mutiple hit games or multiple games with a hit meant being benched (sometimes more than a game). Being called out in the media or the manager constantly jokes that you'll be in Charlotte soon. Yeah, that's what a developing player needs who's already a headcase at the plate.

[Heads22]

Apparently, Brian will never be the equal in the outfield or grinderness until he impales himself on something to one up Rowand.

 

 

I'm sick and f***ing tired of the Rowand worship because he didn't know where the wall was. I'm not saying Anderson is the answer, but for the love of God, people, Row is gone.

[Kalapse]

Apparently, Brian will never be the equal in the outfield or grinderness until he impales himself on something to one up Rowand.

I'm sick and f***ing tired of the Rowand worship because he didn't know where the wall was. I'm not saying Anderson is the answer, but for the love of God, people, Row is gone.

The funny thing is last year, after Rowand ran face first into a wall Phillies fans admired Row for his tenacity, grit and willingness to lay his body on the line for the good of the team but after his 3rd week or so on the DL it seemed the fans turned on him a bit. They figured a more cautious or hell just a slightly less reckless Rowand is more beneficial to the team because even though it may give the opponent an extra baserunner or two atleast he'd be able to play. It's fun to be a 'grinder' and aggressive in the outfield but the insane wrecklessness that Rowand displays on a daily basis could actually hurt the team in the long run.

 

Kind of like Row running into the wall in a blowout game during the ALDS last season, the game was in hand but Aaron was still crashing into fences instead maybe showing a little restraint for the good of the team. If he ends up with a concussion after running into a wall while chasing after a meaningless flyball during the FIRST GAME OF THE PLAYOFFS we likely would have had to with OMIT in CF for the rest of the '05 postseason because Aaron is a grinder.

[DBAHO]

Sure.

I was just pointing out that he was battling injuries for much of the second half.

 

That Brian Anderson was tied offensively with a guy who'd been involved in collisions with teammates and walls, and who hadn't had a particularly impressive season since 2004, isn't very impressive to me.

Then I raise you 2 questions from that;

 

1 - Why do you want to re-acquire Rowand, when he's put up OPS's in excellent hitting ballparks of .736 and .745 over the past 2 seasons, in exchange for some players who could help our bullpen this season in Aardsma and Logan when that was a major weakness for us last season, and not to mention the logjam in our OF situation that we have already?

 

2 - Look at where Brian Anderson and Aaron Rowand are in their respective careers so far. Who do you think will make the bigger jump in numbers this season? I know who I've got my money on.

[103 mph screwball]

And what is this price you're willing to pay for mediocrity?

 

KW will pay more than he seems to be worth when looking at his numbers. But then again, Arow is worth more than his numbers (clubhouse presence, fan favorite). I don't think KW will go overboard and give in to an outrageous Philly demand like Thorton or Mac. The Phillies probably overvalued ARow during the Garcia trade talks. I would speculate that Philly now knows that KW does not have a completely irrational attachment to ARow, but does have genuine interest which probably exceeds what other clubs would offer. Philly also would also like to get an arm or two and reallocate some salary while still having a capable CF replacement. I don't know what KW will do. If a trade happens, it will surprise us all as usual.

 

I would be willing to move Tracey because he doesn't seem to have a future with the Sox. There are just too many pitchers ahead of him. I'd also be willing to move Logan. Logan seems very talented, but that old saying that you can't teach a 95 mph fastball...well, you can't teach BALLS either. Even though most seemed to disagree with me, I'm on record as losing respect for a man that talks to the press about the big boys picking on him.

 

I can't argue that Arow is not mediocre. Something was missing last year besides the pitching. Let's get the three stooges back together and maybe some 2005 magic. Agreed that Anderson is better defensively, but I don't feel that Anderson is that much better of a defensive player, and I'd be willing to bet that ARow would have better offensive numbers than Anderson. Also, consider the fact that Ozzie is going to play Erstad in place of Anderson a ton when Pods comes back. Ozzie seemed to mishandle Anderson last year for some reason. I have no reason to believe he would not do it again. Bottom line is that I think the Sox have a better chance of winning another World Series in 2007 with ARow instead of Anderson. I don't have "man love" for ARow. I want the Sox to win and I think he gives them the best shot.

[DBAHO]

I would be willing to move Tracey because he doesn't seem to have a future with the Sox. There are just too many pitchers ahead of him. I'd also be willing to move Logan. Logan seems very talented, but that old saying that you can't teach a 95 mph fastball...well, you can't teach BALLS either. Even though most seemed to disagree with me, I'm on record as losing respect for a man that talks to the press about the big boys picking on him.

If you could get Rowand for spare parts such as Sean Tracey then I'd be more open to such a deal.

 

But I don't want someone like Aardsma or Logan included.

 

Why? Well on Logan, look how hard it is to find good lefty relievers. Look at what Jamie Walker got on the market this season. And sure their numbers can fluctuate from season to season, but Logan could be a guy who can help this team both now and in the future, in a position where it's hard to find quality.

 

Aardsma fits the role of the hard throwing reliever KW and Ozzie have targeted. I can't see them giving him up now before he's even tossed a major league inning for us, especially after the way he finished the season off for the Cubs, which is why we traded for him in the 1st place.

 

On our OF, it's a situation that yes needs upgrading. I don't consider Erstad or Podsednik everyday players. I think Anderson could grow into that role, but the Sox aren't likely to give him that chance again, even though they've done it to the likes of Joe Crede. But I don't really consider Aaron Rowand an upgrade. The 2004 Aaron Rowand would certainly be a HUGE upgrade, but what are the chances he puts up those type of numbers again.

 

All this stuff about the intagibles he brings etc. I think is overrated. Sure it's important, but we brought in a similar guy already in Erstad, and intagibles weren't the reason we weren't in the playoffs last season. It was due to poor pitching in my mind.

[Kalapse]

KW will pay more than he seems to be worth when looking at his numbers. But then again, Arow is worth more than his numbers (clubhouse presence, fan favorite). I don't think KW will go overboard and give in to an outrageous Philly demand like Thorton or Mac. The Phillies probably overvalued ARow during the Garcia trade talks. I would speculate that Philly now knows that KW does not have a completely irrational attachment to ARow, but does have genuine interest which probably exceeds what other clubs would offer. Philly also would also like to get an arm or two and reallocate some salary while still having a capable CF replacement. I don't know what KW will do. If a trade happens, it will surprise us all as usual.

 

I would be willing to move Tracey because he doesn't seem to have a future with the Sox. There are just too many pitchers ahead of him. I'd also be willing to move Logan. Logan seems very talented, but that old saying that you can't teach a 95 mph fastball...well, you can't teach BALLS either. Even though most seemed to disagree with me, I'm on record as losing respect for a man that talks to the press about the big boys picking on him.

 

I can't argue that Arow is not mediocre. Something was missing last year besides the pitching. Let's get the three stooges back together and maybe some 2005 magic. Agreed that Anderson is better defensively, but I don't feel that Anderson is that much better of a defensive player, and I'd be willing to bet that ARow would have better offensive numbers than Anderson. Also, consider the fact that Ozzie is going to play Erstad in place of Anderson a ton when Pods comes back. Ozzie seemed to mishandle Anderson last year for some reason. I have no reason to believe he would not do it again. Bottom line is that I think the Sox have a better chance of winning another World Series in 2007 with ARow instead of Anderson. I don't have "man love" for ARow. I want the Sox to win and I think he gives them the best shot.

I'll admit, I did not read your entire post because well frankly I think it's all bulls***. The only thing that was missing last season was a capable pitching staff, not some below average CF who hustles. You talk about Boone Logan lacking balls but then say a team full of highly paid professionals were unable to perform last season because one of their co-workers left during the offseason. If Rowand's presence so heavily effected that team's performance then there is something seriously wrong with the lot of 'em. I don't mean to be hostile in any way I just don't know any other way to put it.

 

I don't even think Logan and Tracey would be enough to convince Pat Gillick to pull the trigger on a deal. It's tough enough to get that man to make a trade, offering him a couple unproven meh arms isn't exactly going whip him into a frenzy. Gillick's asking price for Rowand just a month ago was Scott Linebrink, the equivalent to that on the Sox is probably Mike MacDougal. So are you willing to move MacDougal for Rowand? In any case you're likely going to have to include 1 legit arm in any deal with the Phillies, I don't see how trading away a bullpen arm for a below average offensive OF is going to help this team one bit.

[fathom]

Don't know if this was posted, but Comcast said the package would revolved around Logan. If it's Logan and a middle prospect, go ahead and do it.

[Jordan4life_2007]

I'll be pissed off if Boone is part of the package.

[jackie hayes]

In any case you're likely going to have to include 1 legit arm in any deal with the Phillies, I don't see how trading away a bullpen arm for a below average offensive OF is going to help this team one bit.

We already knew Rowand's benefit to be intangible. It may be invisible too. Still 3 senses left, keep trying!

 

Why give up on Brian Anderson? I thought the rule was, if you performed badly last year and got off to a slow start in st, you got 34 million dollars. No?

[beck72]

Apparently, Brian will never be the equal in the outfield or grinderness until he impales himself on something to one up Rowand.

I'm sick and f***ing tired of the Rowand worship because he didn't know where the wall was. I'm not saying Anderson is the answer, but for the love of God, people, Row is gone.

Throughout this whole thread, there has been no "Rowand worship". The media is reporting [again] that the sox have interest in bringing him back. Some people are responding that they'd rather have him than BA [and from Ozzie's comments about BA, esp. with BMac 'picking the wrong friend', there is no Sox love for BA.

 

BA himself said he needs to fix his swing or he'll be packing groceries somewhere. The sox might not be convinced he can make those fixes. There must also be something more to BA that rubs the sox the wrong way, whether it's his attitude/ cockiness whatever. When the sox rave about Sweeney's attitude, and seem to back him at every step, they treat BA in a far different way.

 

I like BA and think he'll improve. But is he a fit for the 2007 sox, where the sox need some offense and consistent AB's at the bottom of the lineup, to offset the .250 avg and sub .300 obp of Uribe, AND in the long term? Time will tell. But a struggling BA this spring makes this sox fan nervous, and probably some on the sox staff.

[beck72]

Looks like Philly has heard the sox-rowand rumors as well. Note the end of the peice after the Phills bullpen gave up 11 runs in the last two games, with Manuel saying the Phills still need 2-3 bullpen arms. If the Phills want quantity, a deal involving Logan, and Tracey + makes sense.

 

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16874400.htm

[Dick Allen]

Looks like Philly has heard the sox-rowand rumors as well. Note the end of the peice after the Phills bullpen gave up 11 runs in the last two games, with Manuel saying the Phills still need 2-3 bullpen arms. If the Phills want quantity, a deal involving Logan, and Tracey + makes sense.

 

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/sports/16874400.htm

I read somewhere where the Phillies plan was to trade Rowand and trade for Alex Rios. I'd rather have Rios than Rowand. KW should give Toronto a call if they don't want Anderson on the team.

[Gregory Pratt]

I don't necessarily think we should re-acquire him.

I just wouldn't mind it, especially compared to Anderson who I don't think will ever be a good hitter.

[beck72]

I read somewhere where the Phillies plan was to trade Rowand and trade for Alex Rios. I'd rather have Rios than Rowand. KW should give Toronto a call if they don't want Anderson on the team.

I thought about Rios as well. Though they'd want starting pitching rather than bullpen help

[Steve9347]

I'll be pissed off if Boone is part of the package.

 

Boone sucks.

[EvilJester99]

Philly fans are insane....on ESPN boards they are saying the Sox would have to deal them Thornton and/or MacDougal...there is no damn way I would trade either of those to for ARow....I'd rather shoot for Rios as others have said.

[Steve9347]

 

22 year olds with 17 innings of big league experience should be given just a little more slack, but maybe I'm just a nice guy.

 

Everyone wanted to hang the dude when he was up with the big club last year, now he has a few nice outings in spring, and he's untradeable for a guy like Aaron Rowand?

 

Rowand is not great, but way more valuable to our club than Boone Logan ever would be.

 

However, I'd still prefer Brian Anderson.