« Pirates "Pushing Hard" To Deal Sanchez | Main | Pirates Hope To Deal Adam LaRoche »

Freddy Sanchez Rumors: Friday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 10, 2009 at 8:48am CST]

The Giants and Twins are interested in Freddy Sanchez, but no deal is imminent for the Pirates' second baseman. Here are the latest Sanchez rumors from Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports and Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Morosi says the Twins and Giants are interested, but would probably want to see Sanchez, who has missed the last six games with a back issue, prove his health before making a deal.
The Rockies don't appear to have serious interest. That's hardly a surprise, given Clint Barmes' work at second base and Colorado's need for relievers.
In addition to the Giants and Rockies, Kovacevic hears that the Pirates have spoken to as many as five teams.
The Giants would move Jonathan Sanchez, but he would not be enough on his own.
Both reporters identify an obstacle for interested teams: the vesting option that will allow Sanchez to make $8MM next year if he continues playing regularly.

Comments

Although 8MM is a pretty solid deal for Sanchez. He's a decent player who plays a premium defensive position.

I want to think the Cubs are one of the 5 teams, as are the White Sox.

Posted by: melonis rex | July 10, 2009 at 09:04 AM

considering the contract differences, and the fact that young cheap pitching, particularly lefties, are hard to come by. Im surprised it would take more then Jonathan Sanchez.

Posted by: Adam | July 10, 2009 at 09:24 AM

I'm guessing the Twins would be willing to offer Casilla, one of their young MLB ready pitchers other than Swarzak probably Dunsing and then another mid level prospect.

Posted by: MNRunLeft | July 10, 2009 at 09:35 AM

Adam- Think about it for a few minutes, then hopefully it makes more sense.

J Sanchez- Lots of Upside, has shown very little of it in his short career. Career ERA over 5 and has even been dropped into the bullpen for a time period this year. Not helping the guys value much.

F Sanchez- over 2 wins above replacment, 3 time all star, batting champion, and a shoe in for gold glove in his 3rd season of playing this position.

1 has talent that is consistent and proven, and 1 has talent and has proven inconsistency.

The giants would likely need to add 1-2 prospects somewhere near 3rd tier talent.

Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:16 AM

If the Pirates were smart they would trigger the option now and offer to pick up some of it. That would make him so much more attractive to other teams.

Posted by: BucSox | July 10, 2009 at 10:17 AM

MNRunLeft- Bill Smith has the tools to bring Freddy home.

Lots of talented pitching in the minors and 2 good middle infield options.

I would assume a deal would have to start with Alexi Casilla and Kevin Mulvey. Id love to see Neal attempt to get Tolleson also...perhaps we can kick in a small low value chip.

But beyond the Giants, I feel that Minnesota is a pretty good suitor.

Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:23 AM

Minnesota won't make the move. It's not their style. They are more of a "stand pat and pray" kind of club, unfortunately.

Posted by: TheJerkStore | July 10, 2009 at 10:32 AM

Freddy is a good player and he'd be a nice addition to the Giants, but he's not the kind of player the Giants should mortgage the future for. He's worth more than just Jonathon Sanchez, but he's not worth top prospects. They can live without him if The Pirates are asking that price.

Posted by: JP | July 10, 2009 at 10:41 AM

The Pirates already have their own version of Jonathon Sanchez, his name is Ian Snell.

Posted by: Ian Smell | July 10, 2009 at 10:42 AM

JP, Prospects are rated by baseballprospectus on a 5 tier system.

a 3rd tier guy has upside but is in no stretch a guaranteed star at the next level.

It would take more than 2 of these plus sanchez to land freddy. That is hardly mortgaging the future imo.

I think a deal could work nicely with the giants. Plus keep in mind, you would be getting MI help, and we would be taking your prospects at MI that you obviously dont think are ready to contribute. Should work out for both sides.

Any additional feedback JP?

Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:46 AM

That should read , "it would take no more than 2 of these plus jonathen sanchez to land freddy."

Posted by: Dempsey | July 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM

Dempsey, I agree with what you say. What I'm saying is that teams that are supposedly selling are if you believe reports, asking for pie in the sky. Guys like F. Sanchez or Nick Johnson or Dunn are not worth that IMO. If they Giants could put a package together with what you mentioned, the Giants should look into it.

Posted by: JP | July 10, 2009 at 10:57 AM

Let's get a few things straightened out about Jonathan Sanchez.

1. His ERA is inflated by his BABIP and LOB%. There's a lot of defense and luck in ERA.

2. Jonathan Sanchez is a league average starter or pretty damn close to one. He's a league average SP in 2009, and he was definitely one in 2008.

3. There are guys who have put up the exact same peripherals, or even worse, and have ended up with significantly better ERAs for their seasons. Certain teams have reputations for habitually churning out such luck-induced seasons from their pitchers. Defense is key.

Posted by: melonis rex | July 10, 2009 at 11:02 AM

In what world is Sanchez a gold glover? As I've understood his defense is mediocre.

Don't dismiss how Freddie's contract diminishes his value.

I doubt the Twins give up either Casilla or Mulvey. Try Manship and Plouffe/Tolleson.

Posted by: Pseudofool | July 10, 2009 at 11:10 AM

I think J.Sanchez can be a good pitcher. I just have my doubts if he can be a good starting pitcher. I think he could be an outstanding set-up guy. I think he can come in for an inning or two and blow hitters away. But as a starter expected to go 6 and beyond, I don't believe that is Jonathons' forte.

Posted by: JP | July 10, 2009 at 11:11 AM

melonis: I haven't checked out Sanchez's numbers this year in too much detail this season, but calling him league average in 2008 is a misnomer. He started off strong and broke down when the innings got to 100+ I'd expect a league average starter to be able to pitch at least 140 innings. To me that makes him a serious liability as a starter. He should be valued solely as a reliever in trade talks.

I understand what you are saying about Sanchez's ERA and all, but the Giants have the 6th best defense in terms of UZR. So its not as if he has the Nationals playing behind him. Also the fact that his BABIP and LD% has always been high so maybe its more to the fact that batters get better swings at his pitches. He has a high walk rate, maybe his high BABIP is b/c he gets behind in the counts and has to throw a pitch over. Thats not luck if they are making good contact when they know a strike is coming.

Posted by: Steveo26 | July 10, 2009 at 11:50 AM

I think Casilla has fallen out of favor in MN so I think they'd be willing to move him, he's still only 24 and has shown flashes of his potential at the major league level.

After that I think the Twins would prefer to keep Mulvey, he's the type of pitcher the Twins tend to value he throws strikes and has exceptional command. But guys like Manship and Dunsing grade out at about the same level. The only real issue is the Twins lack power arms which is one thing I thought I originally heard Pitt wanted.

Posted by: MNRunLeft | July 10, 2009 at 11:54 AM

Freddy Sanchez and Adam Laroche to the Giants for Johnathan Sanchez, Kevin Pucetas, Clayton Tanner, and PTBNL.

Posted by: recca | July 10, 2009 at 12:29 PM

Freddy Sanchez is not worth more than Jonathan Sanchez in a trade. that would be a fair straight up trade. Freddy might be a better player, but he also costs a great deal more and his option will likely be triggered for next year. JSanchez will be under team control a lot longer and can still turn into a very good starter or dominant reliever. If the Pirates think they can get more, then go for it, but the Giants shouldn't bite if that's what they were inclined to offer.

Posted by: nostocksjustbonds | July 10, 2009 at 03:25 PM

Might sound Crazy but I'm content with Uribe playing 2b... Unless of course it's renteria for Sanchez which isn't going to happen since Pitt. is dumping salary, then Uribe would play SS. But If the Giants aren't going to go after a 3B or 1B opposite of Sandoval, Maybe we should go after a #1,#2 starter and coast into the Championship game on Dominant pitching. The Braves did it (Maddux, Neagle, Glavine, and Smoltz).

Posted by: seanyt1 | July 10, 2009 at 05:37 PM

@seanyt1
The Braves also had Chipper Jones, Fred McGriff, Javy Lopez, a powerhouse in Ryan Klesko, and David Justice.

@nostocksjustbonds
The trade I was referring to included Laroche as well as F. Sanchez.

Posted by: recca | July 10, 2009 at 08:58 PM

to be honest, the deal tht i really want the pirates to do is to make the deal with the rockies

it makes sense, they can get give them sanchez and mayb grabow to add bullpen help

and in return they recieve eric young jr., casey weathers who does hav potential, and carlos gonzalez who would be a HUGE steal for the pirates

Posted by: buccosfan | July 10, 2009 at 10:01 PM

No hitter baby!! I would say that J Sanchez just boosted his trade value a little bit. Freddy Sanchez is a solid player but he hits mostly for average, he is more of a doubles hitter. The giants seem to have quite a surplus of doubles hitters

Posted by: JeezyS | July 11, 2009 at 12:20 AM

now u guys probably want sanchez after a no no not gonna happen

Posted by: dodgersuck95 | July 11, 2009 at 01:43 AM

I would love for the twins to bring sanchez in, since castilla and tolbert can't seem to do anything to fill in our gapping hole at 2nd. I personally can't see it happening though if he's getting paid 8 mil next season. We wouldn't offer much in return.

It's like someone stated earlier....sanchez's salary decreases his value. If a team were to trade a player making close to the league min with 2,3,4,5 years left under team control for someone they will have to pay 8 mil next year with nothing left, they won't get much in return. Sanchez may solve a lot of problems (including in MN) but most teams who have payroll in mind and think about their future won't be able to pull anything off. I think the twins main concern is, or should be, extending mauer.

Posted by: bigfreddy2000 | July 16, 2009 at 11:40 PM

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Posted by: |

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Your comment could not be posted. Error type:

Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Freddy Sanchez Rumors: Friday

Comments

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

Post a comment

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent Posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Rumors By Team

Monthly Archives

Live Chats


Home Contact About Advertise Archives Widget Twitter RSS Usage