Veteran outfielder Aaron Rowand is the biggest name on the list of 22 non-roster players the Marlins have invited to spring training. Rowand's resume includes 11 seasons in the majors, a .273 career average, and a Gold Glove award. Whether or not Rowand lands an Opening Day roster spot with the Marlins, he'll still be hauling in $12 million next season, courtesy of the Giants. If Rowand sticks with the club, though, he'll be the fourth-highest paid player on the team, behind only Carlos Zambrano ($18 million), Hanley Ramirez ($15 million) and Josh Johnson ($13.75 million).
That's right. Rowand would make more than any of the big three free agents -- Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell -- signed by the Marlins this winter.
The following 11 players are signed to minor-league deals with ST invites: Rowand, infeilders Nick Green, Donovan Solano, Terry Tiffee and Gil Velasquez, right-handed pitchers Rob Delany, Chad Gaudin, Gary Glover, J.D. Martin and Robert Ray, and left-handed pitcher Beau Jones.
These 11 members of the organization have also been extended ST invitations: outfielder Kyle Jensen, catchers Jacob Jefferies, Luke Montz, Clint Sammons and Kyle Skipworth, right-handed pitchers Corey Madden, Alejandro Ramos and Elih Villaneuva, and left-handed pitchers Jose Alvarez, Chad James and Robert Rasmussen.
Gotta love back-loaded contracts.
I think Rowand will land a bench spot. It will be a pretty nice bench with Rowand and Dobbs.
Posted by: bob | January 20, 2012 at 08:56 PM