News Item: Aaron Rowand signs with Giants for five years, $60 million
Aaron Rowand's a good player. He helped the Phillies a lot the last two years. But the fact is, he was about the Phils' fifth-most important offensive player last year (and instantly becomes the Giants' best hitter, which says a lot about them.) I know none of that is supposed to matter, because Rowand is "gutsy," and "scrappy" and "has a motor" and is "a lunchpail guy," and every other one of those cliches that fans use when they really like someone but can't articulate why.
The non-contending Giants were crazy to guarantee him five years and $60 million, and will probably be trying to trade Rowand (along with Zito) within two years. But the Phils would've been even crazier to top that offer. It's not because they're "cheap," it's because they're smart.
Judging by this MLBTR thread, Phillies fans and White Sox fans are upset that their teams didn't sign Rowand, while Giants fans are upset that their team did sign him.