Giants Close to Getting Freddy Sanchez?

Are you guys thinking it’s still 2006 or 2007?

Sanchez has a fine glove. No pop. No base stealing ability. A fine professional hitter, but also with an injury history, and he’s currently dinged up. In the current economic climate, he’s overpaid this year at $6.1M, and if he gets 600 AB and triggers an automatic option, he’ll be grossly overpaid at $8M next year. He’s 31 now, will be 32 by spring training next season. He’s not old yet, but it’s possible he’s already on the downside of his career, with his best seasons being his age 28 year of 2006 when he hit .344 and had an OPS of 850. He increased his HR total and still hit .300 in 2007, but his OPS dropped below 800. Last year he was a disaster, hitting 270/300/370.

But yes, this is the Giants, so a majority of current MI’s on that team are worse (Renteria 250/310/315, Burriss 240/290/270 … yes, that’s a “2” in in the slugging not a typo, Velez 240/290/355 and moved to LF because his glove was terrible; not even listing Frandsen as his OPS is < 350.). Utility man Juan Uribe has clearly been the best hitter by default, with an OPS just under 750.

And while Sanchez hit well in April and May, he’s been in a 2 month long slump since. And he’s not currently doing much better than Uribe; Sanchez’s 295/335/440 is only a bit better than Uribe’s 285/315/430.

If Sabean gives up more than failed prospects in the Giants organization for him right now, he’s a fool and buying far higher than necessary. Sanchez would likely clear waivers and a trade could be finalized after the non-waiver deadline if Sanchez showed his injury isn’t serious and he gets out of that slump. And it’ll clear up some questions on whether he’s a lock to be an $8M hit next year.