Email a copy of 'Non-Tender Candidates: Ike Davis & Gaby Sanchez' to a friend
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By charliewilmoth | at
Email a copy of 'Non-Tender Candidates: Ike Davis & Gaby Sanchez' to a friend
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Derpy
If a coach helped Ike Davis with the hitch in his swing back when he was still young enough to adapt, he wouldn’t have this problem. It is sad that such a fixable problem threw a wrench in a career that otherwise could have been all star calibre. He has the tools, he just has one massive flaw.
BCleveland3381
As a Mets fan, his problems are his own fault. There were constant reports about him being uncoachable. He did what he wanted all the time.
StevePegues
I recall people saying kinda the same things about Jose Bautista when he was with the Pirates. Not so much that he did what he wanted, but whatever instruction he was given didn’t seem to sink in. I think I remember the word uncoachable being thrown about.
If I’m remembering correctly… well, just sayin’.
arthur3
Many of the same types of criticisms could have been leveled by the pundits who saw little value in a second tier player such as Josh Harrison. A little patience, time, coaching. opportunity and confidence by management might still yet salvage the careers of Ike Davis and Gaby Sanchez in Pittsburgh. This is the same team that undervalued the potential of Jose Bautista, Nate McClouth, Brandon Moss, Steve Pearce, and Brock Holt in recent years (either by releasing them, or by undervaluing their potential via trade). It would be a big mistake for Pittsburgh to let either of these players walk for the money being discussed.
StevePegues
Not to quibble, but the Pirates weren’t the only team to undervalue the potential of Buatista, McLouth, Moss, and Pearce– all those guys were available to whomever wanted them at at least one point in their careers.
And I think they judged Holt’s potential about right– he wasn’t all that necessary to the team at the time and he helped get them Melancon and Pimentel.
arthur3
My point is that if they are considering non-tendering either Davis or Sanchez, for the amount of money being discussed, the Pirates would be better served to hold onto both. One is a former 30 HR hitter and the other is a former NL all-star. Especially since they do not have another real first base option, beyond a guy coming off a disappointing injury-filled, modestly hitting/high strike-out, error-filled season, and who has never played 1B before (beyond a few “experimental” innings). Unlike the big market teams, the Pirates can ill afford to repeat recent mistakes of judging player talent.
Rudy Davis
Gaby Sanchez was a PED user when he was a National League All Star though. He should be nontendered, but Ike still has value.
StevePegues
I get it.
But my point isn’t that those weren’t so much past mistakes in judging talent as they were failing to be super-patient in order to wait for that talent to show itself– at least with Bautista and Moss and possibly Pearce. How many years do you have to give a guy before he puts it all together?
Tom Brenholts
The Pirates had Moss for his 24-25-26 year old seasons, and he hit .222, .236, and .154, with 13 home runs over 569 at bats in those 3 years. I think that was enough. Moss himself says that he felt he was dealt with fairly by the Pirates. As for Pearce, it seemed like every time it was his turn, he got injured. Bad luck. At age 28 he was granted free agency, as a first baseman with 8 home runs in 465 at bats over parts of 5 seasons. I’m glad he turned it around, but it still took 4 more seasons and 4 trades for it to happen. I don’t think there was any prescience to be had there.
The Oregonian
Seems like a bit of a tricky situation for the Bucs with Alvarez, Davis and Sanchez all vying for time at first. One possible scenario might be Davis leaving town for Kansas City if they don’t re-sign Butler. A cheap, fairly young power bat to DH and back up Hosmer at 1B might turn out to be a shrewd cost-effective move.
Derpy
A lot of Ike’s value comes from gold glove defense (even though I think he hasn’t played that well recently, but that is a confidence thing, not ability). I don’t think he would be an ideal DH.
charliewilmoth
I’m not sure I would describe Davis’ defense as Gold Glove caliber, honestly. I mean, for one thing, he doesn’t hit that well.
Derpy
Oh, he definitely is. He kinda slipped recently due to confidence problems, but his actual ability is way up there. He just can’t make contact.
rich 3
Ike’s defense has been average to slightly below average since his rookie season. He is nowhere near elite as a defensive player.
DKallday
This move would then depend on whether Davis can rediscover his swing. KC needs people who can hit on a consistent basis. Not sure if Butler or Davis is the answer for DH. If KC can attract Torii Hunter, he’d be the perfect candidate for a DH position anywhere really.
LazerTown
Ike would be an interesting buy low candidate. Not much trade value though, he going to be 28 by opening day, and he has no position flexibility.
GrilledCheese39
Gaby Sanchez for Randy Choate. Cardinals fill the need for a RH platoon bat, Pirates get a LH specialist since Justin Wilson left.
stl_cards16
Interesting. But I doubt the Cardinals are interested in someone that can only play 1B. It’d be good value for Choate, so I could get on board.
NiceOneYouToo
Would much rather keep Gaby and pick up someone like Zach Duke to fill that void.
Federal League
Sanchez seems to have had pretty much the same year three years in a row, with just a spike in walk rate in 2013.
Baseball597
Don’t really see the appeal for keeping either of them around. They both had negative WAR on the Pirates last year. If you had to take one, I would say Davis IMO.
frankm
can’t see how any of them could be back
$90847494
obvious but brutus.
pitnick
Even if Gaby Sanchez bounced back to his modest career numbers, I can’t see justifying using up a roster spot on someone who can only hit lefties and only play 1B. Surely there must be guys out there with similar skill sets who offer a little more versatility?
S Brooks
Fewer than you would think. There’s Alberto Callaspo and his ilk, and Mark Reynolds and similar. Anyone better than that is hard to pry loose.
oldoak33
One of them would take a pre tender deal. I’m just not sure which one.
Mikenmn
Interesting that on Baseball Reference, the player that Ike Davis has the second highest Similarity Score is Gaby Sanchez.
Joanie Yan
I really think the Valley Fever is what did Ike in. If you watch him in 2010 when he first came up he looks like a different player both offensively and defensively. Now he just seems lost and slow. I thought he might rebound when he left the Mets but he was basically the same for the Pirates. I think some team will take a chance, but this will probably be his last one.
Derpy
Bah, if you read the statistics, almost everyone who lives in the south west has valley fever (saw one study that suggested 100% of people who lived there for 5 or more years). It is particularly harmful in a tiny number of cases, but other than that it is harmless. People way overhyped that illness to the point of absurdity.
Breaking his ankle is a much more likely cause. Look at Rickie Weeks, he broke his ankle at the same time and neither has played well since.
NewYorkMammoths
What am I going to do with my Ike Davis jersey? . . . Don’t answer that.
formerdraftpick 2
This is great news for Sanchez and Davis. Every time the Pirates gave up on a first baseman, they excelled on their next team. For example, Pearce, Moss, LaRoche, Jones, Morneau, McGehee, and Overbay. I guess you can throw Ishikawa into the mix after his playoff heroics.
StevePegues
You have a very generous definition of excelled for a couple guys on that list.
Cole Hoppmann
If Sanchez or Davis do get non-tendered they should sign with the cards maybe even both
GrilledCheese39
Why would the Cards need Davis? I understand Gaby though.
Gator McCluskey
I’ve seen enough of Pedro whiffing at curve balls in the dirt to last a lifetime. This guy is a liability in every way, especially his zombie approach to playing the game. It’s a shame that Huntington continues to stick with the guy and in the process, has lost all trading power thanks to the 2014 train wreck. Ike, Gabi? Very little help there.
It’s interesting that the much talked about Pirates farm system can not produce a first baseman or catcher.
Lukas Sutton
So rather than Pedro’s “zombie like approach” you want a guy that reacts everytime he struggles? I dont. Give me the guy who stays even and is able to keep his emotions in check. Pedro has flaws, but his power isnt a liability and his improvements in K rate and BB rate warrant 1 more year. Kid is improving in ways that arent far off from making him an all star.
Bob Bunker
If I’m the Pirates I trade Alvaraz to the Red Sox (looking for a lefty batter to play 3B with some power) for some solid SP prospects and have Snider/Sanchez platoon at 1B. Not sure what to do with Davis.
William Richards
It’s about time they dump these guys. 230 hitters are a dime a dozen!
Chris Vinnit
I’m not a Pedro fan at all but I’m not sure trading him now would be worthwhile. Look at the Braves – they could only get a back end #4 starter for Heyward and he’s probably got more value than Pedro does at this point. Not that the Pirates couldn’t use a decent starter. Still, while I like Ike I do think they’re better off rolling the dice with Pedro one more year. It’s not like his value can really sink any lower.