Bye Bye Freddy and Jack

by vanslyke on Apr 9, 2009 12:40 PM EDT

It is great to see Freddy and Jack both healthy and hitting. The sad part is that if their early production continues, they will more than likely be shipped off mid-season.

Here is a question:
"What kind of prospect would Freddy and/or Jack yield?"

Our young 2nd base prospect in Altoona is at least 2 years away and from all reports is questionable at best on defense. I also dont think that Bixler is projected as anything more than a role player at the major league level. Would Jack and/or Freddy fetch us a major league ready position player at 2nd base or SS? I would hate to think we would move them under the "we have to add depth to our minor league system" header. They have contributed so much to the PBC and their enthusiasm and hustle are valuable to have as a model for the young guys we are looking to bring along.

Would management keep them around? It seems to me that their window expires just before we project to compete in '10 or '11 and their value is more towards getting players/prospects than being contributers toward winning baseball on the major league squad. What would return more value - leadership or a trade? Its not like they are blocking anyone.....

Sorry for the ramble, but I was wondering what the sentiment is out there.....

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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I don't know...

I agree and disagree. If Jack Wilson has a good first half, he will be traded. No doubt about that. But I’m not so sure about Freddy. Sanchez is capable of being the best hitter in the National League (as evidenced by his batting title in ‘06). He hit over .300 in ’07 and the only reason he had a bad year last year was because of his shoulder injury. He was never comfortable and couldn’t really field or hit with the injured shoulder. Freddy Sanchez can be a key player with the Pirates for the next 5-6 years, in my opinion. I know he’s 29, but still. He can flat out hit.

by thelumberco. on Apr 9, 2009 1:40 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t see why a team would trade a “major league ready” middle infielder for Wilson or Sanchez. Why wouldn’t they just play the prospect? If they are indeed major league ready, then they aren’t going to be that much worse than Wilson or Sanchez and will be much cheaper, have higher ceilings, and be under team control for more years. Unless you find a sucker, I think the Pirates will have to settle for marginal prospects at best.

I strongly disagree that “Freddy Sanchez can be a key player with the Pirates for the next 5-6 years”. I would be really surprised if he is even starting in 5 years. And he’s not 29, he’s 31.

by wickethewok on Apr 9, 2009 1:50 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Neither Sanchez or Wilson will bring much of anything.

If I were the Pirates, I would be scouring the low minors all year and demand low minor league prospects for them. Of course, then they have to be developed.

Neither Wilson or Sanchez are going to be parts of a winning Pirate team in the future.

by thegunner on Apr 9, 2009 5:01 PM EDT reply actions

Dump them now

We cannot afford to have the bulk of our salary allotment invested in two middle infielders who have limited range, little power, and even less speed. Both of these two are going to demand more than we can afford to pay them and so our limited resources can be better allocated to pitching and corner infielders/outfielders who can actually drive in runs. Light hitting, good fielding middle infielders can be found growing on trees and it makes no sense to spend a large portion of our budget on these two positions. Neither player produces likes Banks, Morgan, Pedroia etc. and so we should attempt to pay them as if they did.

by Illinois Pirate Fan on Apr 9, 2009 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

In the modern game...

…guys like Ernie Banks or Joe Morgan would get $15M a season. $7M per would maybe get you a Chris Speier.

Just sayin’.

by Vlad on Apr 10, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

oops..sorry about his age

Whoops! Yeah, I just saw where Freddy was 31. Gah, this team is older than I thought. I knew Jack was old, but Freddy 31? LaRoche (like it really matters, he hits like he’s 79) 29? Even Doumit and Nate are 27-28. I still think Freddy Sanchez can be a good player for the Pirates for the next 3-4 years. Even if they want to trade him (I wouldn’t argue with it), they need to hope he has a good year this year so that his stock will go back up to where is was in 2006-2007. If he can have a good year this year, and a good first half next year, we could get some good prospects for him at the 2010 trade deadline. That makes the most sense to me if that is, indeed, the direction the Pirates want to go. We wouldn’t get a whole lot for him at this year’s deadline.

by thelumberco. on Apr 9, 2009 9:13 PM EDT reply actions