Get Outta Here

Baseball economics are so out of whack, or inflation so great, that Pat Burrell’s albatross of a $15 million per contract looks almost reasonable now. What else to think after the SF Giants gave career .286 and 19 homers per season over the past four years Aaron Rowand a 5 year, $60 million contract?

2007 was such a career year for Rowand, with huge leaps in the number of homers, RBIs, and doubles that it would not be a surprise to see his name in the about-to-be release Mitchell report. Even if he is able to duplicate his 2007 production (which statistically speaking appears unlikely), are 27 homers, 89 rbis, and 45 doubles worth $12 million a year?

Surely there will be gnashing of teeth and laments galore about losing Rowand on WIP, and charges of the miserly way the Phillies keep the clamps on the payroll, but in this instance it is hard to argue against their refusal to overpay Rowand no matter how gutsy and intense he was. Could you imagine locking up $27 million in your left and centerfielders for 29 HR, 95 ribbies, and a .265 average worth of offense? Uh, no.