A crazy idea that might not be so crazy: Zambrano for Rowand straight up

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This is just a baseball writer talking here, but what if the Giants considered dealing Aaron Rowand to the Cubs for pitcher Carlos Zambrano in one whale of a change-of-scenery trade?

I have no evidence that such a deal has been discussed, but I think it has to be percolating in the mind of somebody in one of the two front offices.

And I will say this: When I jokingly suggested such a deal to a muckety-muck from one of the two teams, I did not get laughter in return, but this question: "What's the money look like?"

That could be the biggest impediment to such a deal. Zambrano is still owed about $45 million of the five-year, $91.5 million deal he signed before the 2008 season, while the Giants owe Rowand about $30 million from his five-year, $60 million deal. I imagine the Giants would want the Cubs to throw in half the difference, $7.5 million, to equalize the money, and they might not want to do it.

But do they have a choice? Zambrano is on the restricted list at least through the All-Star break after his latest blowup, in which he ranted in the dugout and went nose-to-nose with Derrek Lee. The Cubs might not have any choice except to deal Zambrano, who has burned one too many bridge in Chicago.

Rowand, in turn, might thrive more in a better hitters' park in a city where he won a World Series ring with the White Sox in 2005.

The Cubs would relieve themselves of a big headache. The Giants would add another good arm to their rotation, putting them in a better position to trade a starter for a bat.

Just sayin'.

Posted By: Henry Schulman (Email, Twitter) | July 03 2010 at 04:59 PM