Aaron Rowand came through in the clutch last night, lifting a ball out of CBP and putting the Phillies ahead for good. Rowand has been having a heck of a season and has become Ryan Howard's main protection. Remember when we were all so worried about who would protect The Big Guy back in the winter months?
Rowand has done everything Phillies fans could have hoped for out of him this season. He really is an All Star. Now this brings up the question of whether the Phillies should deal him. To be honest, the only players the Phillies have that other teams would be interested in and the Phillies would really consider parting with are Rowand, Victorino, and Bourne. The way Pat Gillick has been making things sound, it seems as if none of these guys will really get you much in return. So I say keep them all.
Rowand is a little different though. He's older and on the last year of his contract. The big unknown is whether the Phillies will make a push to bring him back next season, but he won't come cheap. Many have suggested a 3-4 year deal at around $10 million per year. Will Dave Montgomery shell that out? Don't know.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
If the Phillies have no plans to bring Rowand back, then, and only then should they consider dealing him. His play right now makes his value high, but at the same time, the fact that he is in the last year of his deal will lessen the value you get in return. If you believe the Phillies, as they look today, can contend, then certainly you believe Rowand is a vital cog that is needed to help make the playoff push.
I still think no major parts will move in the next week and only a mediocre arm or two and maybe a veteran bench guy at best could be added. Give what's out there and the current state of the Phils batting order, that might not be the worst decision.
>>Rowand's homer lifts Phils to win [Inquirer]