Traditional Tactical Reasons

Sam Donnellon’s column in the PDN today is a good one. At least it beats Tiki Barber on FoxNews giving his take on USA-Ghana this morning. Now that was television.

Donnellson muses on trading Aaron Rowand for traditional tactical reasons. In summary, the Phillies have a slight surplus- but a surplus nonetheless- of outfielders, you probably don’t lose much having Victorino play instead every day out there for a tenth of the cost over half an increasingly lost season, and Rowand is a guy you can probably get something for.

I have been musing Rowand as well- on a somewhat tangential axis. I kinda like trading him because, well, I frankly don’t think he’s that good a player- or at least not the sort of good player the Phillies need.

Don’t get me wrong. I like his centerfield play- but let’s not go crazy there. He’s not an elite defensive player- the kind of guy who can change a game once a week with a dazzling play.

The Phillies bat him sixth- ahead of Fasano and Bell. And you know, not only does he just not hit enough to be an asset there but he's also probably a slight minus. He doesn’t have the second tier power (although his HR total this year is not bad- but that happens to a lot of guys at Citizens) or RBI bat (a mere 25 this year) you want there. He’s hitting just .279- and that is a good career number for him- in a hitter’s park.

You can’t bat Rowand lead-off as his OBP simply isn’t near good enough- although yes, he would be a plus over Rollins. The Phillies could survive with him hitting second. But a .270 hitter is certainly no plus there either- and where does Utley hit?

I don't care how much the fans like Rowand- a guy who is a plus hitting only in the seven hole or lower with a good glove is not a cornerstone player. And Rowand is a guy with some good value in some baseball circles (not mine) and has buzz around the league, featuring a not unreasonable contract. But he really brings nothing special other than some good defense to the Phillies every day line-up.

Accordingly, I’d be looking for excuses to shop Rowand. If the Phillies could add a pitcher or bat that actually helps day-to-day, I'd move him.