MLB Trade Rumors: Giants Willing to Trade Jonathan Sanchez

According to Jon Paul Morosi of Fox Sports, the Giants are willing to deal LHP Jonathan Sanchez. A trade of the 28-year-old starter, up for his final year of arbitration, would clear up some cash for the Giants to pursue a free agent hitter this offseason (and they're in desperate need of some help on offense). Sanchez projects to make $5-6MM this offseason if he is tendered a contract. 

Sanchez is coming off a disappointing season -- and only made 19 starts in 2011 due to injuries. When he did pitch, he struggled with command (as he has throughout his entire career). He walked an average of 5.9 hitters per nine innings, and has a career BB/9 of 4.8.

Nevertheless, he's always managed to post high strikeout rates, making him a pitcher with relatively high upside. In fact, he's one year removed from a season in which he tossed nearly 200 innings with an ERA+ of 127. If he can keep his walks down, he's an invaluable arm -- and given that the free agent market for starters this offseason is relatively weak, he could possess some trade value (in spite of the fact that he'll be somewhat expensive). 

Anyway, in the event that the Giants do trade him, it'll likely be a minor salary dump. Eric Surkamp or Barry Zito (which is more likely) would then conceivably take Sanchez's spot in the rotation.