ESPN reports that Aaron Rowand has agreed to a $60 million, five-year contract with the San Francisco Giants.

Rowand batted .309 with 27 home runs and career bests of 89 RBIs, 105 runs, 189 hits, 45 doubles in 161 games in 2007.

Lisa Kennelly and Ed Price of the Star-Ledger reports that the Yankees would have interest in signing CF Aaron Rowand if the team finds a suitor for Melky Cabrera.

Rowand’s agent, Craig Landis, said only that the interest in Rowand — a strong defender who this year with Philadelphia hit .309 with 27 homers and 89 RBI — “is strong and has picked up” since center fielder Torii Hunter came off the market, signing with the Angels. Landis said “nothing is imminent” as far as Rowand’s signing.

Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki ruminates on the Phillies off season plans on his blog for the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Phillies plans do not seem to include Aaron Rowand. Rowand will likely command something in the neighborhood of a six years, $14 million per year contract in the wake of Torii Hunter’s massive deal.

Zolecki writes that the Phillies feel they have some depth in the outfield to cushion Rowand’s loss, and thinks righthander Hiroki Kuroda is a better investment. A rotation that includes Adam Eaton and his 6.29 ERA along with a 45 year old Jamie Moyer is certainly in need of an upgrade.

Ken Rosenthal shares some Hot Stove buzz today on Fox Sports.

Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would benefit most from the addition of Torii Hunter. There are many center fielders on the market including Aaron Rowand and Andruw Jones.

Rosenthal thinks Mariano Rivera is crazy if he doesn’t take the Yankees offer, but mentions that Rivera talked about possibly joining Joe Torre and the Dodgers to the Associated Press. The Dodgers would have a formidable bullpen with Jonathan Broxton, Takashi Saito and Rivera.

Rosenthal also writes that the Mets are divided on whether to make a strong push for free-agent right-hander Livan Hernandez. The Cardinals and Astros are also interested in Livan, who turns 33 in February (alledgedly).

Hernandez, Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux are the only major-league pitchers to make 30 or more starts in each of the past 10 seasons.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com believes the Angels have emerged as a most intriguing possibility for Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera to land through a trade. The Dodgers, Red Sox and Yankees all have interest as well, however the Red Sox are trying to re-sign Mike Lowell and the comments from Yankees’ representative Hank Steinbrenner saying that he would not trade one of the big three young pitchers.

Rosenthal also adds that the Washington Nationals would like to sign CF Andruw Jones but will likely have a tough time chalking up the money it will take to get him. He also notes that he sees the Giants and White Sox as two potential suiters with the Dodgers a possibility. The Padres would be more involved with him if his price dropped.

The Phillies believe that CF Aaron Rowand may command a four-year, $52 million contract. Both the Astros and Mets remain interested in free agent 2B Luis Castillo. The Indians, Padres and Dodgers could also enter the mix pending decisions within their franchise. The Twins are one of the teams attempting to trade for Red Sox CF Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox are demanding too much in return it appears. Teams with too many starting pitchers may look to the trade market to get rid of them. Indians starter LHP Cliff Lee, Brewers RHP Dave Bush and LHP Chris Capuano are amongst the possible choices.

Rosenthal ends on one final note. The Washington Nationals would like to trade for another young major league-ready starter. Mets 2nd-round draft pick in 2006 Kevin Mulvey is among one of the choices that Rosenthal adds, with the other being the Twins Kevin Slowey.

With the Mets in need of bullpen help. Could we be looking at a trade for one of the Nationals relievers? Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch could help this team in the bullpen and the Nationals are looking to get younger. The Nationals reportedly have interest in OF Carlos Gomez as well.

According to Alyson Footer of MLB.com, the Astros are making early contact with free agent centerfielder’s Aaron Rowand and Torri Hunter.

Hunter, 32, hit .287 with 28 home runs and 107 RBIs for the Twins in 2007. In 11 seasons with Minnesota, Hunter has a .271 average with 192 homers and 711 RBIs. He is a six-time Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner, earning the distinction from 2001-06.

Rowand, 30, hit .309 with the Phillies in 2007, recording 27 home runs and 89 RBIs. Over seven seasons with the White Sox and Phillies, Rowand has a .286 average with 93 home runs and 347 RBIs.

Torii Hunter tells The St. Paul Pioneer Press that he has yet to hear from the Twins regarding returning to the club. Hunter is a free agent this year, and along with Aaron Rowand would be one of the top outfielders targeted this offseason.

“I’m kind of disappointed, but what can you do?” Hunter said from his Texas home. “That’s my home team; I want to be with my home team. But there are no talks, no progress at all. It’s still the same. But there’s still a lot of time left.”

If I had to choose, I would go with Rowand. They’re essentially the same player but Rowand is younger and I feel he has more potential. The concern I have is that his numbers were inflated from playing in that bandbox in Philly. Take a look at his home and away splits over the last two years:

2007
Home: .319 , 17 HR, 48 RBI
Away: .299, 10 HR, 41 RBI

2006
Home: .262, 6 HR, 26 RBI
Away: .261, 6 HR, 21 RBI

The 7 homer difference is definitely a concern, but I like how he was able to hit around .300 both home and away. Maybe more of a concern should be his track record is shorter than Hunter’s but Hunter is also 33 and his skills are declining, while Rowand should just be hitting his stride.