Report: Yanks Have Interest in Aaron Rowand
By Frank Russo ~ October 21st, 2008. Filed under: Frank Russo Rants and Raves, Rumor Mill.
Our sources down in Tampa have informed us that the Yankees will be exploring trade possibilities with the Giants for center fielder Aaron Rowand. It is pretty well known that the Giants are interested in upgrading their hitting, which was anemic at times last season, and the Yankees could send a package of players for the speedy outfielder.
It remains unclear as to what it would take to bring Rowand, one of the Majors best center fielders, to the Bronx, and no, Robinson Cano’s name has not been mentioned in any possible trade for him.
The Yankees do have pieces to trade for Rowand, but as of this moment, it’s unclear as to what Giants GM Brian Sabean might ask for. When we pressed our source as to what it might take to get him, we were given two possible scenarios.
One would be a package of at least three minor league prospects. The other would have Rowand coming to New York for an established player off the major league roster, with possibly a minor league prospect.
One player that the Giants have long coveted is Hideki Matsui. If you remember, last winter, media reports circulated that the Yanks were prepared to send “Godzilla” to San Francisco in exchange for two pitchers. Since Matsui is coming off an injury plagued season, one in which he appeared in just 93 games, it is highly doubtful that he would be traded straight up for the energetic and tough-as-nails Rowand, who is three years younger. Matsui is also in the final year of a four year deal, and would most likely want an extension if he is traded, although he has stated that he would most likely retire after the end of his current contract.
This morning, Lane Meyer of NoMaas.org gave some pretty credible reasons why the Yanks should explore a Robbie Cano for Matt Cain swap. Frankly, we can’t see a Rowand deal getting done at this point in time unless it is part of some larger deal. Matsui/Cano for Rowand/Cain? It does sound intriguing, though highly unlikely.
October 21st, 2008 at 6:20 pm
Just curious..
If they are trying to upgrade their offense, why would they trade their best hitter and biggest clubhouse influence? And they are going to trade that for a guy that has two junky knees and can’t play the field? Heck, he was barely able to with good knees … He is a DH from here on out .. And it’d take quite a nice package with Cano to even come close to getting Cain … as word around are hitters like Delmon Young who has immense potential, and then Prince Fielder is also being discussed as someone who could go for Cain .. Cano isn’t even in their league value-wise.
October 21st, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Why would anybody assume that the Giants would trade Cain for Cano…..how about Cain for Cano, Kennedy and probably another youngster or two…..this is just like Mike Francesca saying the Pirates should trade McClouth for Cano……idk how much crack would need to be smoked for either of those two deals to be done straight up
October 21st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
It’s bad business to trade an asset when its value is low. The Yankees already did that with Tabata this past summer. Similarly, Cano’s value has never been lower. It would be stupid to move him now.
October 21st, 2008 at 10:53 pm
I would trade Matsui for any young player on the Giants roster, but Sabean is not that stupid. Matsui is strictly a DH.
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:03 am
If I were Yanks .. I’d want Matsui out like Mets want Castillo out .
October 22nd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
If I were Brian Sabean, I’d say, “OK. Let me know what you’re giving us.”
Rowand is way overpaid at $12 million. If he could use that money as a downpayment on Adam Dunn or Mark Teixeira, he’d be much better off.
October 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Take Zito too please