Pirates "Pushing Hard" To Deal Sanchez

I like EYJ a lot.

I really really don't think the Rox should trade him for Sanchez, although I do think Sanchez is a good player.

I just listened to D.O'Dowd say yesterday that a big reason behind Tracy's hiring was his belief in Barmes FT at 2B and the 2 hole. So why would they want Freddy Sanchez? Unless they're moving FS to 3B as Stewart is still a bit raw for a playoff run. But that doesn't seem so likely either. Don't really buy this rumor.

The Pirates should only do this deal if they get EYJ. Freddy's also worth a pitcher, so that could be the framework of a potential deal.

The Rox already have a very crowded OF so trading EYJ for good value wouldn't hurt much. Sanchez would give an already potent offense a veteran INF and a great tablesetter.

I would do this deal and then follow with two different things. First I would try and ship off Atkins to Boston for hopefully a good late inning reliever to help setup Street. Then I would set up a L/R platoon of Stewart/Barmes at third.

Stewart vsL .673 OPS and vsR. .805 OPS.
Barmes vsL .983 OPS and vs R .748 OPS

In the NL game you can never have enough good INF bench bats so whomever didn't start the game at 3rd would likely get at bats other ways.

Its really hard to make a COL lineup because they have so many good pieces to slide in the lineup but I'll give it a go with Sanchez in it.

1. Fowler CF
2. Sanchez 2B
3. Helton 1B
4. Hawpe RF
5. Stewart/Barmes 3B
6. Tulowitzki SS
7. Spilborghs LF
8. Iannetta C
(With Stewart/Barmes serving as the main UTL)

Barmes and Stewart platooning together would be a total waste.

It's fine as it is now if they just traded Atkins.

Stewart 3B
Tulo SS
Barmes 2B
Helton 1B

the only way I think they should do this is if they turn around and trade Barmes/Sanchez to something else.

Baseball Prospectus has EYJ listed as a 3rd tier prospect, so i would assume 1/5th of a Halladay package.

Prepare for the impending Jack Wilson whining if Sanchez is traded.

I'd hope they at least have the decency to trade him after the all-star game. I wouldn't be too upset to see Freddy go but you can't trade your only all star.

Not sure what the Pirates can get from Colorado considering their roster is pretty deep. Don't think the Bucs need more outfielders, it would have to be EYJ and a pitcher, maybe Morales.

"Don't think the Bucs need more outfielders, it would have to be EYJ and a pitcher, maybe Morales."

MASSIVE overpayment for Sanchez. Morales is an elite pitching prospect who was just jerked around.

EYJ for Sanchez straight up is a meh trade for the Rox and a good one for the Bucs.

Any trade for Sanchez is foolish on the Rockies part. Eric Young Jr. currently leads all of professional baseball in stolen bases, having surpassed the 40 steal mark a while ago. He's a legit leadoff hitter, a professional base stealer, and the future at second base.

Clint Barmes is having a great season, and is pretty much the equal of Freddy Sanchez this year, so why pay all that extra money, and give up a top prospect, to get Sanchez.

The Rockies should be concentrating on doing whatever it takes to bring Roy Halladay home. He pitched here in high school, he knows how to play at altitude, and even as a kid in Arvada knew how to make hitters keep the ball on the ground.

I suggest a deal that starts with shortstop Hector Gomez (blocked by Tulo), C Wilin Rosario (blocked by Ianetta), and an arm of some kind...as much as it might hurt, maybe a guy like Jhoulys Chacin.

Long term, I love the idea of EY jrs speed on the Rox once Barmes is gone, but I am not in love with an everyday lineup with all 3 Fowler, Gonzalez and Young. I'd rather trade away Gonzalez and play either Smith or Murton or even Spilborghs for power. Who needs that much speed?

I've still yet to see a single thing that indicates the Rox are interested in moving EY Jr. All we know is that the Pirates "love" him. That's nice. But that's not enough to say that there's an EY/Sanchez deal in the works. The rox may have entirely different players in mind.

"I suggest a deal that starts with shortstop Hector Gomez (blocked by Tulo), C Wilin Rosario (blocked by Ianetta), and an arm of some kind...as much as it might hurt, maybe a guy like Jhoulys Chacin."

Gomez, Rosario and Chacin isn't close to enough for Halladay.

How about Chacin, Gonzalez, Gomez, Rosario and Morales?

"Braves acquire Freddy Sanchez

Pirates acquire Casey Kotchman

Giants acquire Adam LaRoache"

So the Pirates trade Sanchez AND LaRoche for Kotchman, and the Giants get LaRoche for free?

Don't think that'll happen..

Sanchez would be a good fit in Minny. They have some AA and AAA pitching (Manship and Mulvey?), and also send them Casilla who is only 24 and has a world of potential and at times hit very well, but is in the managers doghouse for not hustling. This trade might need one more prospect however..

"Braves acquire Freddy Sanchez

Pirates acquire Casey Kotchman

Giants acquire Adam LaRoache"

If the Pirates got Jonathan Sanchez from the Giants, I guess that could work. The Giants would have to give up something if they want a player, can't just get him for free, haha.

I don't know a lot about Kotchman, he doesn't look like a very impressive hitter for a 1B, but his defense is solid and he's probably as good as LaRoche but cheaper.

I don't think the Braves would trade for Freddy Sanchez, though.

Sanchez would be a good fit for the Cubs. Start him at 2nd base and give the everyday SS job to Andres Blanco who is the Cubs best defensive player and park Fontenot and Theriot.

Sanchez bat would make up for Theriot's offense and Fontenot is only a .271 career hitter anyway but is hitting an awful .231 so far this year. That being said Blanco's stick doesn't make him that much of a liability as some would otherwise suggest.

Theriot just makes way too many mental mistakes. He gives you max effort but those mental mistakes in the field and on the basepaths are getting old.

"Gomez, Rosario and Chacin isn't close to enough for Halladay.

How about Chacin, Gonzalez, Gomez, Rosario and Morales?"

I don't think anyone is going to come up with a package like this for Halladay. I'd be darn unhappy with the Rockies if they offered this up.

If the Jays were going to offer a window to negotiate an extension with Halladay then maybe it could happen, but without the window to talk to Roy's agents no one can give up this much.

If I were the Giants, I wouldn't trade for Sanchez for what I think he will cost. He had a very hot April and has cooled off greatly since then. His May and June look remarkably like his awful 2007 and 2008 seasons.

So no, he would not be the Giants 2nd best hitter on the team.

Based on what they got for McLouth, they will probably want whoever they trade with to overpay for a player with good looking overall numbers but pretty ordinary to bad numbers since April.

And I would not give up J.Sanchez for Freddy, whose OPS in June was in the mid-700's. The Pirates are looking for a sucker.

cubs fans- i love the cubs, but quit bringing up your team in every trade topic. you couldn't even afford the salary/prospects to get derosa! the only deals your team will make are pick ups of the scrap heap.

if no one else in the central makes a big move and your team plays to half their potential then you should take the division regardless.

Steveo, Sanchez is another #2 hitter in a lineup full of #2 hitters (Rowand, Winn, Renteria). The Giants need some real speed or real power. Felipe Lopez would make a better addition than Sanchez.

ovsessivegiantscompulsive: So by your standards Sandoval shouldn't be an allstar, b/c he didn't play at an all-star level in April??? Look at Rowand's numbers over the last 28 days with his .686 OPS during that span. Plenty of people have a bad month or two.

Also Sanchez had an .832 OPS in May which is pretty good and great for a 2B. So saying that he underperformed is a misrepresentation. So Sanchez has had one Great month, one good month, and one average month. Thats pretty good overall.

@Flipnside: Sanchez is acutally out hitting Lopez (and he isn't a one year rental). Sanchez actually has more pop than Lopez as well .477 SlG to .413. While the Giants do need to add another power bat but Sanchez would be a big offensive upgrade for them.

Also guys like Winn and Renteria shouldn't be at the top of the lineup with their .322 OBPs.

FlipNside: That is why the Giants #2 hole is hitting 235/286/310 and is almost 90 points of OPS under the next nearest non pitchers spot in the lineup? There are a lot of valid reason for the Giants to be very wary of Freddie Sanchez (32 years old next year, inconstant output, tender back, price might not merit the production difference over and Adam Kennedy type) but because the Giants have too many #2 hitters is not one of them.

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Xloax: I think all the Pirates are doing is trying to get another chair at the table in hopes of improving what they get. There is nothing wrong with that. I think any serious talks between them and the Rox would be around ‘Pen arms more than Freddie Sanchez. Of coarse that migth increase what they get from the Braves as well.

"how well can he play third if at all? reds need a leadoff/2nd hitter either one, and sanchez makes good contact."

Sanchez rated very well defensively at 3B when he got regular time there, but he hasn't played there at all since 2006. He has had some arm surgery since then, which may have some impact on his arm. It's hard to say if he'll be at the same level as he was before, but he was very good when he last played there.

Freddy Sanchez
June/July .284/.322/.422
May .330/.373/.459
April .337/.374/.570

Even his June/July is a huge improvement to the Giants second base production.

If the Pirates are pushing to move him and the Giants take on all his remaining salary I don't think the Giants would have to give up too much talent to acquire Sanchez.

EY2 for Sanchez is stupid for the Rox. EY2 is cheaper, contorlled over more time and over that time COULD be better. Sanchez has a batting title but doesn't have a lot going for him besides that. He's solid, but I wouldn't give up an equally solid prospect. Not to mention he is the son of the Man to hit the first(of many) home runs at Coors Field. You can't take away the fan favorite.

On Hallday...If there was ever an Ace that the Rockies needed to get it is Doc. They have such a deep farm system that I think they could do it. They can spare Gomez or Nelson, since they have Tulo locked in at SS. They could spare McKenry or Rosario since Iannetta is locked in at C. They have some good SP prospects. And they really have always needed a true Ace (not Francis or Cook!) Doc for Jimenez, Smith, Gomez, Rosario, Chacin, Friedrich . That should do it.

"Freddy Sanchez has been injured since July 2. So that would also limit the talent the Pirates would receive in trade."

He had back spasms it's not like he is going to miss any real time he is supposed to be in the lineup friday they are just being careful with him. I would imagine they are being careful so his trade value doesn't get hurt.

Perrotto is a goofy looking dude.

I don't know that the Eric Young Jr name is necessarily coming from Colorado's side. More likely from Pittsburgh's side.

Wouldn't it be something if Carlos Gonzalez lands in this trade too? He was a significant piece in the Dan Haren trade and the Matt Holliday trade.

Phoenix88: since rizzo wants to keep his job i doubt he will offer deals that will lose him the respect of his peers.

"SHip Ronnie Belliard and Julian Tavarez or Ron Villone or even Matt Chico (in the minors) to Pittsburgh for Sanchez and a bullpen pitcher. Come on Rizzo."

Can someone remove this joke from this board please this guy should be banned for posting this trash.

I think I'd be happy with EYJ and Weathers, that would actually be a very good haul for Freddy. If there was no emotional attachment, I'd think it was a great deal.

I just hope they don't center a deal around Carlos Gonzalez. I know he's highly regarded, but I just don't think much of him. The outfield is loaded with toolsy guys already, and I just don't think he has the discipline and hitting skills to have success in the majors. Just my 2 cents, though.

I thought Dan O'Dowd was going to mortgage off the future for overpaid players.

Seriously, the Rockies's future closer, second baseman, or our current left fielder for player that has no place on the Rockies?

I thought the Rockies have no room for adding salary anyways.

I thought the Rockies were being paid off for their faith with Clint Barmes at second base.

If any of these things are true, then a rumored deal that has Freddy Sanchez going to Colorado is just made up, because it makes NO sense at all for this to be happening.

"I don't know that the Eric Young Jr name is necessarily coming from Colorado's side. More likely from Pittsburgh's side."

I agree, but it is extremely logical. Pittsburgh will need a replacement for Sanchez, and Colorado will have no place for Young if Sanchez is received (they dont even really have room for him now). Remember, Young is basically ML ready now himself, so you cant just bury him for another year and a half, he either needs to have a shot or be dealt soon.

Rowand
Winn
Sanchez
Sandoval
Molina
Schierholtz
Ishikawa
Renteria (still can't believe we spent that much money on him
Pitcher spot

That is much more reasonable than the Giants lineup right now. Even though Sanchez isn't really a number 3 hitter.

Keep Ishikawa, he's a good defender and he's CHEAP.

"But why trade him for another second baseman when the Rockies are already committed to Clint Barmes?"

Oh, not saying Sanchez is logical to the Rockies, it just seems to be their target. And if they land their target, then Young is buried even further when he should be up now. He is a logical trade candidate for that reason, and makes sense in the talks.

"Oh, not saying Sanchez is logical to the Rockies, it just seems to be their target."

UNLESS the Rox are looking to move Atkins for a ransom after obtaining Sanchez.

Things clear up if both take place.

Hi I'm Bruno!!

"If the Pirates want Weathers and Eric Young Jr, I say give them Capps and/or Grabow. Not Sanchez. They can flip Sanzhez to the Giants for all I care, just please, don't put him on the Rockies and have him sap playing time from Atkins, Barmes, and Stewart. It's the last thing the Rockies need."

That's a really, really bad deal for the Rockies. No way should EYJ go for a reliever unless its an elite one.

Why would Casey Weathers be discussed in trade deals when he hasn't pitched all season? (check his baseball reference and milb.com pages, he has no stats since last season)

First, why would Pitt want an injured pitcher? Second, why would Colorado give up on him when they drafted him so highly just two years ago?

I understand that Colorado wants to upgrade their second base production but if that's the case, why not just promote EYJ and see if his talents translate to the Majors? They can move Atkins and free up playing time for Barmes/Stewart (both would be better defensively at third and would put up acceptable offense).

I see no reason why the Rockies should deal for Sanchez. One of Pitt's relievers, sure, I can see that. But Sanchez doesn't make sense for them, in my opinion.

"I'm sure the Pirates don't want to trade him within the division."

Why would the Pirates care? They are perennial last-place finishers in no direct competition with anyone in the division. In their position, they will trade with the team that offers them the best return, regardless of the division they play in.

I think I speak for all the commenters on this site when I say the twitter stuff is rediculous. The point of naming a source is that you are choosing someone who is already a known quantity or who has journalistic integrity to consider in all things that they publish as their job is on the line.

Twittering around with tweets of information, is for the birds. I don't come here to geet gossip, if I wanted that I'd read the National Enquirer or the Sun. I come here to get the news a day early or to hear the things that never quite happen, with the way this site has been run in the past, I consider anything less than he old way to be conjecture at best.

You do realize that the tweet you linked at 8:34pm was to a comment saying that if a deal is close than it's not to the Giants, was actually information that the tweeter got from your own page?! Yeah, that's right, you posted something, he interpreted your statement and then posted a comment on his twitter page referencing mlbtraderumors, then you added it in at 8:34pm like he was the one offering the information when all you did was take his conjecture and turn it into fact. Pretty poorwriting job and I hope your boss comes back soon, at least to put leashes on you guys because this site has definitely gone down a notch with him on husband duty.

Side note: I have seen some decent articles on here and I think you have more to offer us. You would look more savvy if you dug a little bit deeper and instead of linking twitter pages, you actually contacted the person who tweeted the comment and found out their source directly and link to that. I would hate to see a day where information is taken at face value from a trendier version of FaceBook or MySpace. Newspaper, Magazine, T.V., interviews, phone conversations, official blogsites endorsed by MLB or the company the writer works for, but please stop using Twitter. Even if it's Derek Jeter's twitter page and he's tweeting about Alex. I mean how do you know it's not some self righteous Yankees fan pretending to be Jeter? As if self righteous Yankee fans are uncommon.

Sorry for the semi-off-topic rant, but I'm boiling over with this crap and this was the last straw, I had to say something.

how about sanchez and capps for stewart

i would do gorzo and freddy for stewart without thinking twice

Now I don't have any false hope of the Cubs going out and getting every player on the trading block. I don't think the Cubs could trade anything near what the Blue Jays want for Halladay, but I think they should consider this one provided the Pirates don't mind trading inter-division, and why not they have before( Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton, and Randall Simon for Jose Hernadez, Bobby Hill and a bag of balls). also we have to remember the pirates are desperate to move him do to salary cap issues with his bonus about to kick in they arent in the greatest position to demand certain players. The Cubs could send a package including 2B Tony Thomas, P Kevin Hart, 3B/of Jake Fox for Sanchez. This would finally give the cubs a true leadoff guy. The cubs then can move Fontenot to his supper bench role.

I just can't see why Colorado would give up so much for something they don't need.

Oh and Dempsey's post about longing for a time when he can complain about a trade to get a 3 time all star was heartbreaking...it must suck to be a Pirates fan.

As much of an improvement Wilson would be at SS for Seattle are they trying to create the least offensive minded team in history?
I think they need long term 1B, 3B and LF options as well as filling the SS hole.

"As much of an improvement Wilson would be at SS for Seattle are they trying to create the least offensive minded team in history?"

LMAO! Funniest comment of truth I have seen in quite some time.

OhPityMe- I love being a pirates fan, I just wish it werent taking extra years off my life. Ya know, they say being President of the USA makes you age 2-3 times faster...all Im saying is, I hope we never have a President thats a Pirates fan...he'd never see the ends of his term.

Sean Gibson- I understand you think Twitter is something amazing, but as a former journalism student Im laughing pretty hard right now. Rule of thumb buddy, if the media resource has zero credibility (which Twitter does not) then it shouldnt be used as a source. If you cant even type all of the directions to make instant pudding on twitter, how can you count on it for SOLID news stories. Is America so lazy that we cant read an entire article or blog in which actually gives legitimate information? I dont give a rats patootie if twitter is cool or trendy, I care about the integrity of information that gets reported from it. Twitter is what a journalist might refer to as a supplemental resource, but in general is rather useless. But I think you were a bit harsh on the person whom was critical of their use of sources.

frankdick4- This is not salary motivated. This isnt a bankrupt bucs team like when you got Aramis. We can EASILY pay Freddy's contract next year 2-3 times over without exceeding the budget Bob Nutting has set for the team. This is a baseball decision by NH and FC to help retool a dismal farm system, (which mind you is by far the most improved in baseball since the new management team took over) People will either pay what we want for Freddy, or we will have a 3 time all star at second base next year.

Hey guess what Dempsey this is salary motivated because his 8 million dollar bonus is about to kick in thus the reason this post is called pushing hard to deal Sanchez. Also the players I mentioned before are just a starting point to go along with either Jackson or Cashner. Then you can consider that the Pirates are trying to deal Laroche leaving a 1B position available, allowing an MLB ready hitter like Jake Fox to play there, Tony Thomas is a 2B replacement and Kevin Hart is and above average pitcher either out of the pen or in the rotation. All of the people I mentioned in this post make the Pirates better now and for the next 3-4 years.

"Twitter is what a journalist might refer to as a supplemental resource, but in general is rather useless. But I think you were a bit harsh on the person whom was critical of their use of sources."

The guy he replied to is somewhat of a tool. You can even see in his follow-up post that he has now changed directions since he was proven incorrect. He is no longer pointing to MLBtraderumors linking to a tweet referencing its own sight, but rather now is claiming the person gave a vague statement ("if a Sanchez deal is imminent it's not to the Giants") that shouldnt have been relayed to us here. That may have been where Sean's disdain came from. If he has read any of his previous comments, it would probably be second nature to treat him like he is a buffoon.

That said, as long as reporters are using the Tweeter system to pass on information, that information can not be ignored. "If a Sanchez deal is imminent it's not to the Giants" definitely is important news moments after “Perrotto reports that the Pirates could deal Sanchez by this weekend” (weekend being 2-3 days away at the time). It told us that if Sanchez is indeed traded during this time, count the Giants out as a destination. The Tweet, where possibly not some peoples favorite way of getting information, was the exact type of information this site should be giving!

And I know it will upset the IKnowNothingOrWhatever guy to hear that AOL can actually have actual knowledgeable reporters with inside sources and everything, but maybe he should be formally introduced to one Jeff Fletcher

“Fletcher is covering MLB, NHL and college basketball for FanHouse. He covered the A’s and the Giants at the Santa Rosa Press Democrat for 11 years and was a sports reporter at the Los Angeles Times. He is a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, Baseball Writers Association of America member, Baseball America contributor and APSE award winner.”