Levine on the Afternoon Saloon - Sanchez, MB vests, loogy

[David]

Levine was just on with Carmen, Jurko, and Harry... he mentioned that the Cubs are looking at LH relievers beyond Sherrill... Can't remember if he named anybody. If he did, it wasn't any name that stuck in my mind...

 

Also said that the Cubs are trying to deal for Freddy Sanchez but have to get the financials (for next year, in particular) approved.

 

Finally, as of today, Bradley's 3rd year option has officially vested.

[inari]

Oh, Milton Bradley. I was wondering what Mark Buehrle was doing in this thread.

 

Maybe we can get the Bucs to eat a fair amount of Sanchez's contract.

[jnidey83]

Levine was just on with Carmen, Jurko, and Harry... he mentioned that the Cubs are looking at LH relievers beyond Sherrill... Can't remember if he named anybody. If he did, it wasn't any name that stuck in my mind...

 

Also said that the Cubs are trying to deal for Freddy Sanchez but have to get the financials (for next year, in particular) approved.

 

Finally, as of today, Bradley's 3rd year option has officially vested.

 

Wittenmeyer is saying Chad Qualls is also on the radar, although I think he's a righty. The thought is that a "mid-level" deal can be made, for a reliever and/or a catcher, if Soto looks like he will be out beyond early August.

 

Link:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/cubs-can-add-pieces-at-deadline.html

 

ETA: Nothing was mentioned about Sanchez, although he would be great to acquire.

[dew1679666265]

Also said that the Cubs are trying to deal for Freddy Sanchez but have to get the financials (for next year, in particular) approved.

 

Depending on what we give up, I really like this news.

[Schwarber Fan]

Man, I really want to get Sanchez.

[Little Slide Rooter]

The names Ive heard as far as relievers go be it through the radio or internet have been George Sherill, Chad Qualls, and Joe Beimal. We really dont need one of these guys, and Id much rather go for Sanchez. Make it happen Hendry.

[inari]

The question here is, assuming we take Sanchez's whole contract, do we really want him? I know he sounds really nice, but he's very expensive and if his average isn't high he's not particularly productive.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Freddy Sanchez would be a big, big mistake.

 

Sanchez is 31 about to turn 32. He's not going to get better, and with this year being a career year, it will likely get worse.

 

Sanchez is an averageish defender. He adds no extra value with the glove.

 

Sanchez is a career .300 hitter with mediocre walk and power rates, which means his value is very much tied to his BABIP. That's why awesome Freddy in 2009 can follow up awful Freddy in 2008.

 

And most importantly, Sanchez will make 8 million dollars next season. I'm not too excited to pay a .300/.330/.420/.750 hitter with average 2B defense that much money when there's no chance for projection because he's 32.

[Little Slide Rooter]

next year is also his contract year, and at 32, he may have one more biggish contract left in him, so we could benefit from him having a big walk year next year.

[inari]

next year is also his contract year, and at 32, he may have one more biggish contract left in him, so we could benefit from him having a big walk year next year.

 

Or he could just play to his ability regardless of his contract. I'm just not sure it's the best idea, even though it sounds really good on the surface.

[nolanwood]

Sanchez WAR totals over the past three seasons prior to 2008 were 3.2, 4.8, 3.8, and 2.6 so far this season. His career defensive metrics are slightly above avg, which is better than the defense we've had at 2nd the last few seasons. I'll gladly take him and hope he has a solid year next year, too.

[Sammy Sofa]

If the team was performing closer to the projected levels (sans Fontenot) I'd think getting Sanchez was a great idea. As it stands, his age and his skillset do little to address the problems that are currently facing the team offensively.

[TruffleShuffle]

i'm with TT and mojo here; next year they have a big salary crunch and while i don't agree that sanchez has an average glove (i think he's a little above average), i don't think that it's a good idea to bring in another big salary who probably isn't much more than a marginal upgrade over a fontenot/miles (if he stops being cardinal mole) platoon.

[Banedon]

Was it sunnydoo that was all ga-ga for Sanchez?

[dew1679666265]

Freddy Sanchez would be a big, big mistake.

 

Sanchez is 31 about to turn 32. He's not going to get better, and with this year being a career year, it will likely get worse.

 

Sanchez is an averageish defender. He adds no extra value with the glove.

 

Sanchez is a career .300 hitter with mediocre walk and power rates, which means his value is very much tied to his BABIP. That's why awesome Freddy in 2009 can follow up awful Freddy in 2008.

 

And most importantly, Sanchez will make 8 million dollars next season. I'm not too excited to pay a .300/.330/.420/.750 hitter with average 2B defense that much money when there's no chance for projection because he's 32.

 

This isn't a career year, he was better in 2006. In 3 of the past 4 seasons he's been in the .780-.850 OPS range and the one year he wasn't (2008) he was hampered by a shoulder injury that he played through. Even still, in August and September he OPSd .829 and .819.

 

His OBP is reliant on AVG, but his BABIP has always been high (.325 career, only below .300 once in the past 5 seasons). Last season was the one year he was below a .300 BABIP, but it's likely that was because of the shoulder injury and, thus, a decreased LD%. Also, with the exception of his shoulder injury plagued 2008, he's consistently slugged .440-.470 every year since 2005.

 

He's the 4th best second baseman in baseball offensively by OPS this season, 14th best in 2007 and 4th best in 2006. He's had EqAs of .289, .290 and .271 three of the past four years as well.

 

I'm not crazy about the $8 million next season, but it's currently a club option and only becomes guaranteed if he reaches 635 PAs this season (at 365 now). If he does return next season and struggles, we platoon him with Fontenot (career .894 OPS vs lefties).

[dew1679666265]

i'm with TT and mojo here; next year they have a big salary crunch and while i don't agree that sanchez has an average glove (i think he's a little above average), i don't think that it's a good idea to bring in another big salary who probably isn't much more than a marginal upgrade over a fontenot/miles (if he stops being cardinal mole) platoon.

 

Next year's money isn't guaranteed unless he hits 635 PAs this year - he hasn't come close to that once in his career. 2010 is a club option.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

i'm with TT and mojo here; next year they have a big salary crunch and while i don't agree that sanchez has an average glove (i think he's a little above average), i don't think that it's a good idea to bring in another big salary who probably isn't much more than a marginal upgrade over a fontenot/miles (if he stops being cardinal mole) platoon.

 

Next year's money isn't guaranteed unless he hits 635 PAs this year - he hasn't come close to that once in his career. 2010 is a club option.

 

Sanchez made the All-Star team this year, so his option vests at 600 PA's. He's currently on pace for more than 660.

[E.J.]

Was it sunnydoo that was all ga-ga for Sanchez?

 

 

Wrong Sanchez. Wasn't that Alex Sanchez he was ga-ga for?

[TruffleShuffle]

Was it sunnydoo that was all ga-ga for Sanchez?

 

 

Wrong Sanchez. Wasn't that Alex Sanchez he was ga-ga for?

 

uggggggggggh alex sanchez. the cubs could not get him out for some reason.

 

actually maybe that's why sunnydoo would have wanted him so much, he only saw him play against the cubs and therefore thought he was awesome.

[Drew Doughty]

Was it sunnydoo that was all ga-ga for Sanchez?

 

 

Wrong Sanchez. Wasn't that Alex Sanchez he was ga-ga for?

 

uggggggggggh alex sanchez. the cubs could not get him out for some reason.

 

actually maybe that's why sunnydoo would have wanted him so much, he only saw him play against the cubs and therefore thought he was awesome.

 

or more likely it's because sunnydoo was mentally ill.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Was it sunnydoo that was all ga-ga for Sanchez?

 

 

Wrong Sanchez. Wasn't that Alex Sanchez he was ga-ga for?

 

uggggggggggh alex sanchez. the cubs could not get him out for some reason.

 

actually maybe that's why sunnydoo would have wanted him so much, he only saw him play against the cubs and therefore thought he was awesome.

 

or more likely it's because sunnydoo was mentally ill.

 

Nothing wrong with signing guys that we can never get out. If not, we never would have gotten Jeff Blauser or Aaron Miles. Im sure we'll one day end up with Nyjer Morgan, long after his legs have failed him.

[JeffH]

Quit dicking around with the riff raff and make a big play for Victor Martinez. Let Soto be the backup for the remainder of this season and get healthy at his own pace.

 

That would add the powerful LH bat that Lou wants without having to bench one of your salaried guys. It would also allow you to be patient with Bradley.

[Derwood]

Quit dicking around with the riff raff and make a big play for Victor Martinez. Let Soto be the backup for the remainder of this season and get healthy at his own pace.

 

That would add the powerful LH bat that Lou wants without having to bench one of your salaried guys. It would also allow you to be patient with Bradley.

 

I'm pretty sure the Indians have said they aren't moving Martinez

[UMFan83]

Am I the only one who isn't that interested in sanchez? He seems like a slightly better version of Theriot. He not left handed, he doesn't hit for a lot of power, he's mediocre defensively and he's 31 years old. He's not particularly adept at drawing walks (although I can't believe I'm saying this, drawing walks isn't our biggest issue). Also, he'll probably cost a bit, especially if multiple teams are bidding.

 

Don't get me wrong, if that's all we can get, he certainly is an upgrade over Fontenot/Baker. But enough to turn our offense around? I am not sure.

[dew1679666265]

i'm with TT and mojo here; next year they have a big salary crunch and while i don't agree that sanchez has an average glove (i think he's a little above average), i don't think that it's a good idea to bring in another big salary who probably isn't much more than a marginal upgrade over a fontenot/miles (if he stops being cardinal mole) platoon.

 

Next year's money isn't guaranteed unless he hits 635 PAs this year - he hasn't come close to that once in his career. 2010 is a club option.

 

Sanchez made the All-Star team this year, so his option vests at 600 PA's. He's currently on pace for more than 660.

 

Ah, forgot he made the All-Star team. That definitely makes the option more likely to be guaranteed.