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For Phillies, return of Rowand might be worth considering

As Monk, television's great defective detective, says: "I could be wrong . . . but I don't think so." A LOT OF TIME and energy have been spent this offseason debating how the Phillies plan to fill the rather large hole left by the departure of rightfielder Jayson Werth. Will Ben Francisco be the answer? A Francisco-Ross Gload platoon? Where does John Mayb

Center fielder Aaron Rowand played two seasons with the Phillies in 2006 and 2007. (David Zalubowski/AP file photo)
Center fielder Aaron Rowand played two seasons with the Phillies in 2006 and 2007. (David Zalubowski/AP file photo)Read more

As Monk, television's great defective detective, says: "I could be wrong . . . but I don't think so."

 A LOT OF TIME and energy have been spent this offseason debating how the Phillies plan to fill the rather large hole left by the departure of rightfielder Jayson Werth. Will Ben Francisco be the answer? A Francisco-Ross Gload platoon? Where does John Mayberry Jr. fit into all this? Will top prospect Domonic Brown be given a legit shot at winning the spot even though it would mean adding another lefthanded bat to an already unbalanced lineup?

All are possibilities. When manager Charlie Manuel says he doesn't know what his lineup will be, he's not being coy. He really doesn't.

What hasn't gotten a lot of attention is the possibility that Werth's replacement could be somebody who isn't even on the roster at the moment.

There are several outfielders who could be available before Opening Day, but it says here that the best option just might be a blast from the past: Aaron Rowand.

When his name surfaced at the winter meetings, Giants general manager Brian Sabean said he hadn't even spoken to the Phillies about the possibility. Still, these are the sort of deals that tend to develop after teams get to camp and get a chance to eyeball what they have. And it remains a possibility that the Phillies brass will be so blown away by what they see in Clearwater, Fla., that they won't feel the need to go outside the organization.

If not, though, Rowand is an intriguing alternative.

He was supposed to be the face of the Giants' turnaround when he signed that 5-year, $60 million free-agent contract before the 2008 season. By the time San Francisco hoisted the trophy last fall, he was little more than an expensive afterthought. And going into this season, he still appears to be on the outside looking in.

The Phillies would want the Giants to pick up most of the $24 million he is owed the next 2 years, and that could be a sticking point. The Giants could reason that if they're paying the money anyway, they might as well keep him around. They might not be impressed by what the Phillies could offer in return. Or they might be reluctant to help a team they had to beat in the National League Championship Series to get to the World Series in the first place.

But if there's a will and a way, Rowand might be a perfect low-risk, high-reward move. He's coming off a terrible year but is a righthanded batter who hit .309 with 27 home runs, 45 doubles, 105 runs and 89 RBI the last time he played his home games at Citizens Bank Park. He's still just 33. He's a good clubhouse guy who would be an antidote to the complacency that manager Charlie Manuel sometimes worries about.

It's at least something to watch.

Options for Blanton

If somebody desperately needs to sell their house, they don't take out ads pointing out how desperate they are to sell their house.

So general manager Ruben Amaro's comments about not wanting to trade righthander Joe Blanton probably shouldn't be engraved in granite and displayed outside the Carpenter Complex.

Of course he doesn't want to trade Blanton. Why would he? Blanton projects as the best fifth starter in baseball and a great insurance policy in case injuries strike the Fab Four.

Sometimes, though, general managers have to do things they'd prefer not to. And if Amaro has to (or decides to) move Big Joe, he should have some options. There will be would-be contenders who find themselves needing a starter this spring. Guaranteed.

Heck, there's a team right across the causeway from the Phillies encampment that has a $200 million payroll and still is listing Ivan Nova and Sergio Mitre as its fourth and fifth starters. That is, of course, the Yankees and is another story line to keep an eye on this spring. If Andy Pettitte really retires, Amaro might actually have a hammer with the Bombers instead of the other way around.

Oswalt has an out

It's been widely believed that the Phillies control the contracts of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt at least for 2 more years. But that's not strictly true.

Yes, there is a $16 million club option on Oswalt for 2012 with a $2 million buyout. But if it's exercised, he has the right to void the contract and still get the $2 million. In the original contract, signed with Houston, he would have gotten $1 million if he opted out, but that was doubled when he agreed to waive his no-trade clause to come to the Phillies.

Don't panic. That's not a suggestion that Oswalt will walk away at the end of the upcoming season. Just pointing out that he can if he wants to.

Rising payroll

A lot of attention has been made to how high the Phillies' payroll could go this year, and it's a big number. And it should stay high for a while.

The Phillies already have $108.95 million committed to just nine players in 2012. That jumps to $122.95 million if Oswalt's option is exercised and he stays. And in 2013, they're already on the hook for $80 million for Halladay, Lee, Ryan Howard and Chase Utley alone.

Hard to believe, Harry . . .

Send e-mail to hagenp@phillynews.com