Jason Werth vs. Aaron Rowand - Another Look

Now that Jason Werth has signed with the Phillies and is expected to be a regular in the outfield for at least the next two years, we can re-evaluate one of the team's significant personnel moves of a season ago - the decision not to go all out to re-sign Aaron Rowand. Even though Werth plays right field and Rowand center, Werth was in effect Rowand's replacement as Shane Victorino shifted to center.

Recall that Rowand, who is going on 32, was coming off a career year in 2007 batting .309 with 27 HR. Add in excellent defense, a spot on the All Star team, and a very popular player. Rowand sought a long-term, big dollar contract which the Phillies were unwilling to provide. But the Giants were to the tune of $60 million for five years. The Giants can't be satisfied with their investment after one year. Their new center fielder hit .271 with 13 hrs and 126 SO in 549 at-bats. Rowand's defenders blame some of the decline in production to AT&T Park which is less congenial to hitters than Citizens Park. However, the 2008 numbers were in fact more in line with Rowand's career numbers. And his high strikeout total (126), with rather meager power numbers, indicates he was overswinging quite a bit, a tendency which Phillie fans saw first hand during his tenure in the Delaware Valley.

Werth, who will turn 30 in May, just signed a 2 year, $10 million deal with the Phils. Werth started 2008 platooning but became a regular about mid-season so he only totaled 418 at-bats. But he made them count with 24 HR, a .273 average, good on-base percentage, as well as excellent base running and defense. However, his 119 SO are worrisome.

So, to date, it's a no-brainer. The front office comes out smelling like a rose. They are paying a slightly younger, athletic, more productive player significantly less money than the man he replaced. Yes, this cost-benefit analysis will need to revisited from time to time over the next two years. Werth in particular is going to have to show what he can do as an everyday player for an entire year. On the other hand, if Werth goes lights out, he could be in a position to break the bank when he becomes a free agent again, but that might be a nice problem to have.