On Baseball | Centerfielders up for grabs

Hate to start thinking about next winter just as summer is about to arrive. But have you seen that crop of centerfielders that could be available in the coming free-agent season?

Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter and Ichiro Suzuki have a combined 21 Gold Gloves and 12 all-star berths.

Although this threesome is clearly at the head of the class, there is another potential free-agent centerfielder who is making himself attractive with a strong 2007 season: Aaron Rowand of the Phillies.

Last season, injuries limited Rowand to 109 games and 405 at-bats. In spring training, Rowand looked like a guy who had missed significant time the year before. His swing looked stiff, and scouts commented that his bat lacked quickness.

But 21/2 months into the season, Rowand has his swing back. In his first 66 games, he hit .318 with nine homers and 35 RBIs. He had a .389 on-base percentage and a slew of big hits thanks to a .362 batting average with runners in scoring position. That mark rose to .385 with runners in scoring position and two outs.

Defensively, Rowand has always been able to track balls, and that hasn't changed.

Neither has his set of intangibles. He sacrificed his face to help the Phillies win a game last season. This season, he's been a big reason the Phillies have overcome a 4-11 start.

"We've got some guys in there who want to come to the ballpark and win," manager Charlie Manuel said. "I'm talking about winning every day. As long as they keep that same attitude, that's where they'll drag us."

Rowand is one of the guys Manuel is talking about.

In the off-season, Rowand will not get the money that Jones, Hunter or Suzuki will on the open market. He does not have their star power. But Rowand, who'll turn 30 in August and is younger than Jones, Hunter and Suzuki, will have suitors. He might play himself into an extension in Philadelphia. He might end up back with his original team, the White Sox, who have missed his sneer and will to win. Rowand is a favorite of White Sox ownership.

The potential class of free-agent centerfielders could also include Mike Cameron and Milton Bradley.

The Big Three of the class could end up being the Big Two if Hunter re-signs with Minnesota or Suzuki with Seattle before the free-agent signing period begins in November.

It's almost inconceivable that Jones, 30, would re-up with Atlanta before he has his chance to test the market. Agent Scott Boras is well known for steering his clients toward the open market, and Jones has been angling toward a big payday for years. He hit 92 homers and drove in 257 runs the last two seasons. This past winter, he dropped 25 pounds in preparation for his salary-drive season.

So far, though, Jones' improved physical condition has not paid off in production. In his first 66 games, he was hitting .215 and slugging just. 417. He had 65 strikeouts in his first 242 at-bats.

There's plenty of season left, though, and Jones will get his payday. Top centerfielders such as Carlos Beltran and Vernon Wells have gotten more than $100 million in recent seasons, and Jones could be next.

Suzuki, who'll turn 34 in October, should be worth at least that much, too. He's a lifetime .331 hitter and has a body that should allow him be on top of his game until he's 40.

In Seattle, the debate over Suzuki's future is raging. The Mariners could trade him and get some value before he walks, but that would seem unlikely because the team is contending, and Suzuki, who moved to center field from right this season, is the club's best player.

Even if Suzuki hits the open market, it's difficult to imagine the Mariners not making a serious bid to re-sign him. Since arriving from Japan in 2001, he has become the face of the franchise. Losing him could hurt on-field production and off-field marketing. The Mariners baseball people are well aware of Suzuki's on-field prowess, and the club's Japanese ownership surely is mindful of his off-field business impact.

As for Hunter, he seems quite ready to test the market.

He's been quoted saying how much he respects Texas manager Ron Washington and how he enjoyed following the Braves as a kid. He's got the free-agent rap down pat.

With Jones, Hunter and Suzuki, this winter's class of free-agent centerfielders has long been shaping up to be a good one.

And don't forget Rowand. His play this season has only made it stronger.