Miguel Tejada and Aaron Rowand were designated by the San Francisco Giants yesterday. The two were replaced by Pat Burrell, who was activated from the disabled list, and Brett Pill from Triple-A.
The Giants decided to eat some serious salary in hopes of improving their club now and next year. Rowand was owed another $1.8 million this season and another $12 million in 2012. Tejada had another $1 million coming to him this year.
San Francisco considered the price worth it in order to cut what’s become dead weight and make room for younger players.
The Giants inked Rowand to a 5 year $60 million deal following his breakout 2007 season with the Phillies. That year, Rowand hit .309/.374/.515 with 27 home runs, 45 doubles, 105 runs scored and 89 RBI’s while playing solid defense.
While the defense has remained at least above average in San Francisco, the bat has come back down to Earth. Rowand’s best season with the Giants was his first, and even then he only managed an OPS of .749.
Rowand’s numbers at the plate have steadily declined over the years, to the point of his 2011 line of .233/.274/.347.
Tejada wasn’t as much as an investment as Rowand. 2011 was the former AL MVP’s first season in San Francisco. Tejada was signed this offseason after spending last year with the Baltimore Orioles and San Diego Padres.
With Pablo Sandoval at third, Tejada was moved back to shortstop. But as the season progressed, Tejada lost much of his playing time due to his futility at the plate. On the year, Tejada has only managed a line of .239/.270/.326 for the Giants.
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