Sanchez to Giants for AldersonComment Email Print Share By Jerry Crasnick ESPN.com Archive The San Francisco Giants, taking another step to upgrade the National League's 15th ranked offense, acquired three-time All-Star Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh on Wednesday for pitching prospect Tim Alderson. Sanchez status remained in limbo Wednesday as the Giants' medical staff checked out his left knee for a second time as a prelude to the trade, a source told ESPN.com. Sanchez was examined Wednesday by Dr. Ken Akizuki, who found noticeable improvement in the knee since a previous exam Monday and categorized Sanchez as day to day, the source said. Sanchez was out of the lineup and replaced at second base by Delwyn Young in the Pirates' 1-0, 10-inning loss to San Francisco on Wednesday afternoon. Sanchez is a .300 career hitter and three-time All-Star The Giants picked up first baseman Ryan Garko in a trade with Cleveland on Monday. Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington has already traded away Nate McLouth, Nyjer Morgan and Adam LaRoche this season, and the Pirates sent pitcher Ian Snell and shortstop Jack Wilson to Seattle in a seven-player trade Wednesday. Sanchez has an $8 million option that vests if he accrues 600 plate appearances this season, and the Pirates are trying to move him because that deal is too expensive for their taste. The Pirates recently proposed voiding the option and signing Sanchez to a two-year, $10 million option. Sanchez and his representatives rejected the proposal and made a counteroffer for a deal that would pay him $6.5 million next year, $6.5 million in 2011 and $7 million in 2012, but the Pirates rejected that offer. The Minnesota Twins, whose second base contingent ranks last in the major leagues with a feeble .505 OPS, also reportedly have an interest in Sanchez. Jerry Crasnick covers baseball for ESPN Insider.