A-ha! So they WERE looking to trade Jonathan Sanchez this whole time. Back when he was an up-and-comer with nasty stuff. Back when he was coming out of the bullpen. Back when he was demoted to the bullpen. Back when he was an integral part of the best pitching staff in baseball.
Actually none of that is true. The Giants, according to Brian Sabean, haven't really been looking to trade "Dirty" Sanchez at all until after this season ended. It seems their patience with his lack of control and mildly questionable attitude ended after 2011 (see the Extra Baggs Blog for some analysis on this). And so the human trade rumor now moves to Kansas City and the American League, where he will no doubt impress a lot of people, not impress a lot of people, and probably get traded at the Deadline.
I'm a little sad he's gone. I had dreams that he would figure it out for real, and Lincecum/Cain/Bumgarner/Sanchez would deliver World Series trophies to San Francisco well into their 40s. Not only that, but now when am I gonna quote The Karate Kid in a big strike out situation? ("Put him in a bodybag, Jonny, yeeeaaaahhhh!!!!").
I'm also a little nervous. Clearly, the Giants front office had no intentions of counting on Sanchez for anything in 2012. But I was sort of hoping he could keep Zito out of the rotation, while at the same time keep holding the fire to Ryan Vogelsong. Don't you think we're all being a bit quick penciling in Vogey for a repeat (or at least close to it) performance?
In any case, the Giants now have a potentially pretty good center fielder/lead-off man. His defense won't be great, but the Giants are hoping he can continue where he left off last year (201 hits including 44 doubles and 18 home runs, plus 20 steals). He'll have the proper motivation: if he puts together another season like last year, he'll fetch a pretty juicy contract when he's a free agent after the 2012 campaign, with the Giants planning on Gary Brown sliding into that spot for the 2013 season. And so, if he does, I think that's about the right value for Sanchez. Which is kind of a shame. The Giants certainly are selling low on him. This is a guy who at various times was considered a possible package centerpiece that would net one of those mighty Brewers in return. It's a risk for both teams, but it also has potential to be one of those rare "everybody wins" trades.
I'll look forward to Sanchez's 2020 return to AT&T Park (or whatever it'll be called by then) for the WS Champ Team Reunion. He'll be remembered by Giants fans for being frustrating, but mostly for 2 games: his 2009 no-hitter, and the 2010 Game 162 to clinch the West over the Padres (P.S. don't forget that triple he laced off Matt Latos to set up the first run in that game, too).
Great work Menace!!
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