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Report: Yanks Have Interest in Aaron Rowand

By msilva177 on | From nybaseballdigest.com

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.