Crazy day.

- Aaron Rowand is a San Francisco Giant. The former Phillies centerfielder signed for 5Y/$60M. Too much? Yes. Necessary? For the Giants, it’s hard to say. They don’t have the offense necessary to be a contender, but in the National League West, with that pitching, nothing isn’t possible.

- For the Phillies, however, it’s an alert. Put it to rest: Rowand is too much at that price and length. 2007 was a career season; he matched that somewhat in 2005; every other year came with injury or mediocre play. He’s a gamer, yes; he’s a chemistry guy, yes; but those things don’t equal a five-year deal.

Still, the Phillies need to make some moves. It’s necessary. If they have just $10M to spend, grab a reliever, grab a low-cost starter, grab an outfielder who could play everyday in right field. Or trade some farmhands for a mid-level starter. Whatever the case, do it. Erik Bedard may not be an option — considering Baltimore claims the Phils don’t have the chips — but here’s a name I’ll throw out: Ian Snell. The righthander has an ERA below 4 and could provide a perfect No. 3 in the rotation. Of course, Baseball-Reference compares him to … this guy.

Whatever the case, the Phils need to spend. They don’t need to spend like the Cubs, or even like the Giants. But to win the East, they need to show some force. Be aggressive.

- Also today, Ed Wade continued his demolition of the Astros farm system by acquiring Miguel Tejada for five players, including former Phillie prospect Mike Costanzo. Too much? Yes. Necessary? Yes.

What? Necessary? Let me explain:

The Astros are in the NL Central.

That’s it. With Tejada on board, the Astros feature a nice lineup. Their order goes from Bourn to Pence to Berkman to Lee to Tejada. Now, I don’t think Tejada is the same player he was five years ago (which is why I think Wade gave up far too much, not to mention Tejada can ask for a trade at the end of 2008), but as the tertiary compliment on a team, he becomes valuable. And for one year, the ’stros can bash the heck out of the Central, using mediocre pitching and powerful hitting to win their division.

Sound familiar?