Sanchez for Alderson: I was pissed at first

This is the first contribution by TK, a new addition to the Dodgerhater staff.


When I first heard of the Freddy Sanchez for Tim Alderson trade I was absolutely infuriated. Why on earth are we trading away the #4 prospect in our organization-- a guy who Keith Law of ESPN recently rated as the #26 best prospect in baseball, for a player who is anything but the power bat our organization so desperately needs.

Sanchez is a guy everyone wanted, obviously a nice upgrade over Downs/Frandsen/Velez. He allows Uribe to return to his better suited utility position, but nonetheless, is a player who is tough to imagine as a true difference maker. Simply put, I felt betrayed.


At the beginning of the 2008 season, Giants Nation was disgusted with Sabean’s recent moves as a GM. The great majority wanted him out. Recently, Sabes has been regaining some of the cred that made him one of the league’s top GMs in the late 90s and early 2000s. Sabean’s recent drafts have restocked our farm system, and the free agent gems brought on board have solidified our pen (see: Affeldt, Jeremy; Medders, Brandon; Miller, Justin; Howry, Bobby). In additon, the Garko trade was a nice move as he is a right-handed power bat at a relatively cheap price (and a Stanford guy at that).

But of course, just as B-Sabes started gathering some goodwill – BOOM!!! A massive backhanded slap to the face!

I was suddenly rocked back into reality.

I mean this.

The Pittsburgh Pirates, the same team who traded us Rajai Davis for Matt Morris, while taking on all of Morris's salary, the same team who gave us Jason Schmidt for the immortal Ryan Vogelsong and Armando Rios somehow were able to get the better of the deal????

It was like we had been robbed by an old woman; our candy stolen by a baby.

All the way back to the Bonds signing, the Pirates have repeatedly been a source to supply our farm system. What gives?

In the words of Lee Corso, “Not so fast, my friends.”

Upon further review, I like this trade.



Sanchez, though only having 6 home runs on the season, does rank 5th in the NL in doubles, and carries a .296 average. This is a .296 average which is right on pace with his career .300 avg, not to mention that Sanchez was a former NL batting champ in 2006 (.344 avg.). He also carries a .776 OPS on the year, which ranks 3rd on the team behind Pandoval and the newly acquired Garks. He plays very solid defense, and my favorite, he loves to play the game and do the little things that it takes to win.

Krukow would say…


“Gamer.”

As for Alderson, he is indeed a 20-year-old in AA who is certainly holding his own with a 3.47 ERA in 72.2 innings. However, looking at the peripherals, opponents are hitting .272 on him over the season. Another subject of note is that one of his biggest compliments coming out of high school was that he was very polished. Of course meaning that it is not necessarily a surprise that he advanced quickly for a kid out of 12th grade.

Alderson has a plus curveball, but his fastball only tops off in the low 90s and he doesn’t have a changeup worth mentioning. With this in mind, I still fully expect him to make it to the big leagues and be a contributor. However, I see him more as a Mark Gardner than a Matt Cain, and this current Giants squad does not need a young Mark Gardner.

While some may argue that we could have gotten more for him in return, that is purely speculation. F-Sanch is of proven quality who will immediately help this squad this year and next-- possibly beyond. Too often do fans get overly obsessed with prospects and forget about what truly matters: winning at the big league level.

Could Alderson be the next Francisco Liriano or Joe Nathan? Sure.


But he could just as easily be the next Jesse Foppert, Kurt Ainsworth, Merkin Valdez, Nate Bump, Jason Grilli, David Aardsma, Damian Moss, etc. This is a chance of guaranteed improvement for our squad at a position of need with no clear replacement in sight while giving up a player who’s merely a projection.

Final analysis: This is a clear indication that the Sanchez trade is a win-win trade for both squads. The Giants get their hitter, while keeping their Big 3 intact (Bumgarner, Posey, Villalona). And, of course, the Pirates flip one of their best players into a quality prospect.

Alderson is not the player Giants fans wanted to give up. But I guess all we can say is that it’s just a shame Dave Littlefield isn’t around anymore.

Otherwise he might've taken Sadowski and Velez instead.

Go Giants.

--Tucker

Giants get Freddy Sanchez: We're in it to win it

AND WE WON!

Happy Sanchez Day!


We just added a former NL Batting Champ to our lineup ('06, .344) to go along with our other Sanchez, who threw a no hitter. I like our Sanchezes. We good even call them the "Dirty Sanchezes". I could see Krukow calling them that on the air.

We did give up a lot though. One half of our "jailbait" duo of Tim Alderson and Madison Bumgarner went over in the deal. Obviously it was Alderson, who we Giants fans have been enamored with for a couple years now.

The truth is, you gotta give up something to get something, and this is a great move.

Sanchez has an option that vests next year if he reaches 600 plate appearances, which looks like it will probably happen. If for some unfortunate reason that it doesn't, I'd be shocked to see us not go after him as a free agent. We gave up Alderson after all. It is likely that we won't have to deal with that.

Anyway, the guy is a career .300 hitter and will certainly provide the stability at second base that we've been seeking all season long.

It also signals to fans that we are going for it this year. Sabean is doing very well by aggressively filling holes without giving up the farm. Naturally, time will tell how this goes, but Ryan Garko and Freddy Sanchez look like they'll be around here next year.

Bochy said during the press conference that Freddy would probably hit second in the lineup. It's difficult to say now how the lineup will shake out once Aaron Rowand and Nate Schierholtz come back... but I'd assume it would look like this:

CF Rowand
2B Sanchez
3B Panda, Kung Fu
C Bengie Molina
1B Ryan Garko
LF Winn
RF Schierholtz
SS Renteria
P

But as we all know, it could be anything... Maybe Sanchez leads off and Rowand slides down to 6th or 7th. Maybe Winn and Sanchez hit at the top. We've seen so many different lineups this year that nothing would surprise me at this point.

Bochy will need to find a combo that works.

Regardless, we have a new catalyst up there that will get on base.

Also, don't underestimate the power of a change of scenery and culture. The Pirates play in a beautiful stadium, but that's about it. It's a depressing culture and a depressing scene over there. They haven't had a winning season since I was in like 2nd or 3rd grade, and despite the "dude-vorce" that just occurred (his best buddy Jack Wilson was shipped to Seattle), Sanchez will realize what it's like to play in a great baseball culture with fans that haven't been beaten into the ground for 20 years. I expect him to put on the type of post-trade hitting tear that Randy Winn did 2 years ago. Godspeed.

Notes:

Matt Cain threw a 9 inning shutout, but didn't get the win. What an absolute animal. Granted it was against a demoralized shell of a team, but he just keeps doing it week after week.

Two other great things: Randy Winn producing and A.U. Henio Velez doing anything. I've found that ripping A.U. out loud in front of the TV during his at bats really increases his production. He hit his home run when I yelled that he looked like an alien had sex with a gazelle. Give it a try.

Here's a "video" I found on Youtube of Freddy Sanchez. It's one of those gay slideshows, but it's well done and it's the best I could find of F-Sanch. It's a great pro-Pirates tune on here... it fires me up about our new acquisition, but it makes me feel bad for the Pirate fans. You see shots of Jason Bay and Xavier Nady... Jack Wilson, and every other decent player they've shipped out. No matter how bad it gets over here, at least you're not a Pirate fan. Click here if you're reading this on Facebook or an Email Newsfeed.



Also, farewell to Timmy Alderson. We hardly knew ye...

As heard on KNBR

Damon Bruce, filling in for Fitz & Brooks, took quite a shining to this post. I have an mp3 of the clip from KNBR all nicely edited if you're interested in hearing it. Just leave me a comment somewhere on the site with your email address and I will get it. Remember to sign up for the automatically emailed posts via Feedburner and keep checking back. Go Giants.

-- Dan

A great day

If you heard about the now legendary "Giants pitching staff as women" blog, click here.
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Yesterday against the Pirates, Los Gigantes showed up.

It was an extremely emotional day, as there was a a brief on field memorial for former Giants owner and biggest fan, Sue Burns. Kruk and Kuip did a great job up there, and it was certainly well done.

It has been well documented that the Burns family, especially Sue, absolutely adored Barry Bonds-- and he them.

Perhaps it's still too soon for the rest of the world, but Giants fans want Barry back in our lives. Seeing him out there throwing out the first pitch with Rich Aurilia to Sue's daughters, then in the stands with her granddaughters on his knee laughing and joking, in the dugout encouraging Tim Lincecum before the game, and cheering in the owners box during the game was heartwarming. It really was.

Bonds gave us a lot of joy and elation over the years as real Giants fans know. To deny him the dignity of being part of the organization (if he wants to), is simply unacceptable at this point (witch hunt trial pending or not).

As for Sue Burns. Lest we forget, that together with Peter Magowan and the signing of Bonds, the Burns's saved the Giants from moving to hell-- aka Tampa-St. Pete.

Thank you.


LinCYcum in action:

Timmy threw an absolute complete game gem last night. He was only the 3rd Gyros pitcher to throw at least 15 since A-Hole Schmidt did it in 2006, and Gaylord Perry in 1966. Wow.

His offspeed stuff was disgusting filth last night, and was almost unhittable. And of course, our patchwork lineup mustered 4 runs. Woohooo! I certainly groaned when I'd seen that Velez was playing.

BUT

Trade Action:

As you know, we acquired Ryan Garko for A baller Scott Barnes.

I am happy with the Garko acquisition. He hits lefties well, is solid defensively, and can play each corner outfield position. Plus he was a Stanford standout back in the day.


He's also under Giants control, as he'll be up for arbitration after this season.

As for what we gave up in Scott Barnes... well he's been a minor league watcher's favorite unknown prospect along with LF Thomas Neal. Barnes had a 2.85 ERA, and a darn near 9.00 K/9 rate along with 12 wins. Wins cannot be projected obviously, but Barnes has a couple plus pitches and the strikeouts do project to the next level.

I think about it like this... we just drafted LHP Zach Wheeler in the amateur draft. He steps right into the void left by Barnes in the system. Sounds better that way. Barnes isn't ready to contribute yet anyway...

Luckily, we have young pitching to spare!

Now let's get Freddy Sanchez and Josh Willingham!

Kruk is right: It's do or die

To quote from the movie Little Giants, this is the speech the Giants should hear right now.

Ed O'Neill: "It's do or die! Win. Or cry!"

Spike's Dad: "Go baby Go!"

And I'm not just quoting that movie because I appeared as an extra in it (true story... click here after you read the rest of the blog, I'm in the yellow shirt in the beginning during the pickup football game.)

It is seemingly the most poignant, simple movie quote that I can think of off the top of my head.

There's no need for a Billy Bob Thornton Friday Night Lights locker room speech or a Gene Hackman Hoosiers clip. Hell there's no need even to drink a bottle of red wine and listen to the theme from The Natural on repeat with your eyes closed.

It's simple. Exe-goddamn-cution at the plate. They hit one home run in 9 games.

One home run in an entire road trip.

The lines from Little Giants are a simple ultimatum made by the actor who played Al Bundy and the guy who in the movie claimed to massage his son Spike's hamstrings with evaporated milk. But they are relevant. Also, it could be symbolic because the Orange & Black are playing like "little Giants" right now and that needs to change.


Mike Krukow basically said that last night during the post game show. I don't have the quote in front of me, but it was something along the lines of: "Get your sh-- together guys. You are professional hitters. I'm not saying go out and trade the farm system and make a bunch of crazy moves. I am saying that you guys need to sack up and perform the way you're capable-- Randy Winn, Renteria, and Molina, I'm looking at you!"

Well said Kruk.

Notes: The Big Sadowski may be done with the Gyros. It was a great story and he threw a couple of great games... but as we all know... it's "what have you done for me lately?"

Well lately, the Sadmeister has thrown up ugly numbers. Last two starts: 6 1/3 innings, 11 ER, 6 BB vs. 4 K. The one night stand is over... Sorry man...

Pittsburgh series: Let's get some revenge here. Beginning with Timmy Ballgame against Paul Maholm. Tickets are $5 bucks in the bleachers. Go online and use the code GIANTSK.

Oh yeah... and here's the Little Giants clip. Skip to 5:40 in the video. Click here if you're reading this on Facebook or an Email Newsfeed.

Huge series in Denver

After a disastrous and demoralizing 2-5 road trip thus far through Pittsburgh and Atlanta, it's time for Los Gigantes to snap out of their funk.

It took Barry Zito's gem and bad Braves D to get us a win in Atlanta, and these next few games in Colorado are huge.

See... in case you didn't realize. The Rockies are now leading the Wild Card and we are in 3rd place in the NL West. Yeah, not winning will do that to ya...

Anyway, let's hope Matt Cain can throw some Southern Heat up there in the mountains and keep us on track. It'll be the hitting that determines our fate.

Fear not Giants fans, we are a streaky team. We got spoiled there for a few weeks and it made us forget about the disastrous early part of the season. We'll be back. Don't worry.

Some notes: Rich Aurilia quietly may have strapped on his jock for the last time as a Giant. In order to re-call The Big Sadowski, we had to put Richie on the DL with a bogus toe infection.

They really didn't have any choice. He was hitting .210 with a ghastly .545 OPS in only 105 at bats. Juan Uribe took over his job, and despite his maddening defense, is a much better player at this point. It is a much better way of handling it than outright releasing him, a la Kirk Rueter a few years ago. It's a way for Richie to fade into the night and keeping his dignity intact.

Rich is the last Giant left over from our hayday, and is the link to happier memories. However he has served us well as a link to brighter days as well. I will miss his entrance song, the Beastie Boys' "No Sleep Till Brooklyn", and I will miss his enthusiasm and professionalism that he brought to every game.

You are a true Giant among men Richie A, and I for one, loved watching you play.

(God this is getting emotional... I'm practically tearing up)...

Responses from the last entry:

I got a lot of positive reviews on the last blog entry, as ridiculous as it was. If you'd like to read it, it should be directly under this post, or click here.

I know it was definitely weird at first, but once you get into it, it sparks arguments over which woman is which player. Here are some comments from McCovey Chronicles readers as well as from this site's comment section... almost like a Bill Simmons mailbag! Wooohooo!



Some decent ones, namely Zito, Sanchez, & the AA boys, but Brian Wilson = Megan Fox?

by NeifiChicken on Jul 22, 2009 7:33 PM PDT


I agree, Brian Wilson is a tease.

by MonkeyChow on Jul 22, 2009 7:34 PM PDT



Agree that wilson shouldn’t be fox. And I don’t really like the lincecum-heigl comparison either.

by raisingcain



Weird.

by Natto on Jul 22, 2009 8:06 PM PDT



At least the author admits to being a big time sleaze.

by BaronVonCurrentEvents on Jul 22, 2009 11:25 PM PDT



I like the concluding “No, we’re NOT re-imagining these athletes as women so we can safely speculate about sleeping with them aieee noo!!!” disclaimer.

by Evan on Jul 23, 2009 6:35 AM PDT


I always thought of Matt Cain as the Rachael Leigh Cook type in “She’s All That.” Not quite up to par with those hot cheerleaders, but then when she takes off the glasses you’re like “Hey, she’s hot too!” (glasses being an analogy for wins of course)

by SeeingStars on Jul 22, 2009 9:09 PM PDT

This makes me embarrassed for our blog

by hairball on Jul 23, 2009 9:08 AM PDT

Even though its blatant Simmons-style writing, its pretty funny.

by Kestrel76 on Jul 23, 2009 6:02 PM PDT

Aparajit said...

Lincecum - Jessica Alba
Matt Cain - Jordana Spiro
Jonathan Sanchez - Christina Hendricks
Barry Zito - Paris Hilton
Ryan Sadowski - Tara Reid
Randy Johnson - Sharon Stone
Sergio Romo - Drew Barrymore
Jeremy Affedlt - Jenniffer Aniston
Justin Miller - Amy Winehouse
MadBum & Timmeh 2 - Miley Cyrus
Merkin Valdez - ?
Brian Wilson - Angelina Jolie
July 23, 2009 6:16 PM

And my personal favorite...

I found this hilarious at many points. Mostly because I love women and baseball, but never thought the two could be related. Now my life is complete.

by jnormous on Jul 23, 2009 9:41 AM PDT