It was Aaron Rowand's turn to meet with Kenny Williams today, but
details are scarce:
Torii Hunter appears to be the White Sox number-one priority in centerfield, they do have a back-up plan. Probably several back-up plans and one likely involves former Sox outfielder Aaron Rowand. Our Chuck Garfien spoke on the phone tonight with Rowand, who confirmed that he has spoken with the Sox about the centerfield job. While not getting into the specifics about the conversation, Rowand said, "I have spoken to Kenny. Let's just leave it at that."
It strikes me strangely that while I like Rowand immensely as a ballplayer, I'm absolutely neutral when it comes to his possible return. Whatever concerns I have about his up-and-down performance and health risks are cancelled out by the fact that he's easy to root for. At the same time, it's a lot easier to root for somebody when they only have $3 million worth of expectations instead of $13 million.
In other words, barring an obscene contract (which I'd consider anything higher/longer than four years, $50 million or thereabouts), I guess I'd be OK with it. And that's better than a Hunter signing, which would alarm me.
(In fact, "alarmed" is how I would sum up my feelings in the first month of the offseason. Here's hoping Kenny Williams gives me another emotion to work with, lest I become a one-trick pony.)
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With Oregon's loss to Arizona, Missouri now controls its BCS Championship Game fate. Sure, it includes winning out against always-tough Kansas State, No. 4 Kansas and No. 3 Oklahoma, but I can't say I imagined "win and they're in" as a phrase relevant to the Tigers in mid-November.