No trade interest in Aaron Rowand but some for Schierholtz

The San Francisco Giants may have a tough decision to make when camp breaks in two weeks.  Rookie Brandon Belt is turning enough heads to warrant a promotion to the big league, but if that’s the case a veteran will likely be out of a job, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

“If Belt forces his way on, it would have to be legitimate, and we’re all agreed he would be the seventh hitter,” GM Brian Sabean said. “The caveat is, there are high expectations and we certainly hope he’ll be in a winning situation immediately. There’s more pressure associated with that.”

Resting on the Belt decision are the futures of Aaron Rowand, Travis Ishikawa and Nate Schierholtz. The latter two do not have any Minor League options left, and Rowand carries a large contract with two years left on it.

Schulman says that trading Rowand is unlikely even if the Giants are willing to eat his contract.  The team is drawing little to no interest in their veteran outfielder.  The same goes for Ishikawa.

However, Schulman says that more teams are looking at Schierholtz because of his left-handed bat, arm and outfield defense, but the Giants may want to keep him.

“I think we’re all more open-minded now because he’s played a lot, and because of that, has faced front-line pitching,” Sabean said. “He’s started a lot of games. It’s not like he’s coming in the second part of a game and not facing major-league pitching. With each day that he holds his own or excels, it turns your head.”