Jack and Freddy (Updated)

by David Todd on Aug 24, 2009 6:23 PM EDT

It sure is going to be interesting to see what happens with these two guys and their contracts come season end.

Freddy has only played 13 games since July 26th. As most of you know he's needs to achieve 600 plate appearances on the season for his $8.1 million option to vest. The Giants have 38 games left in the season and Freddy stands at 441 plate appearances, so he needs to average 4.18 appearances if he plays every game from here on out. The Giants are in the middle of a battle for the wild card spot, so they are still trying to win every game. But, the team is contemplating putting him on the DL since they are effectively playing a man short as the Pirates did earlier in the season when Freddy missed six games. If he goes on the DL it is virutally certain his option won't vest.

Should they clinch or fall out of the race it will be interesting to see if they try to manage his PAs if it is still in question. I think Sanchez's potential grievance case should he not make 600 PAs looks substantially weaker at this point. And having now missed about 20 games due to his shoulder injury, which seems to have also seriously impacted his performance last year, the chances of him getting a big long-term contract are quickly going by the boards.

In Seattle, Jack hasn't played since August 12th and has only played 88 games on the season after only playing 87 last year. The are continual rumblings about Seattle picking up his $8.4 million option for next year, but if those reports are coming from anyone other than Jack's agent they would be insane.

While he has been excellent defensively this year his OPS+ is 80 this year, virtually identical to his career mark of 79. Like Freddy his continuing injury problems are going to certainly hurt his bargaining position and like Freddy he will be entering his age 32 season next year.

Unfortunately for these two I think they are going to be making a lot less money going forward than they probably expected as recently as the all-star break or even the trade deadline.

UPDATE 7:30 EST: Sanchez isn't in the lineup for Monday's game meaning he'll need 4.3 at bats in the remaining 37 games to reach 600. According to this article the outlook isn't good:

http://www.mercurynews.com/giants/ci_13190357?source=rss&nclick_check=1

UPDATE 2 : Last night in the Giants played the Rockies in a heartbreaking 14 inning loss. In the thirteenth inning with two on and another batter at the plate, Freddy was sent to the on deck circle as a pitcher hitter. It was a ruse. The batter walked and Freddy was called back and a pitcher was sent up to pinch hit instead because Freddy can't swing the bat. I have to think the DL is imminent. SF can't keep playing with just 24 guys and they burned much of their pen last night.

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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Comments

hmmmmmmmmmm

i think, even before this post, that we won in both deals. snell wanted out, we wanted snell out. i still look at it like this do you think
snell, snell’s salary, snell’s attitude= lorin, adcock, and pribanic?

wilson, wilson’s salary, inability to resign without sanchez= YOUNGER SS playing good defense and hitting beter, and No. 3 overall pick with power and could be a hidden gem?

now on the sanchez swap (i don’t think it’s really a deal with a 1-for-1).
32 year old 2b, big salary and possible vesting option=former high school star, 1st round pick, possible 2-3 starter, maybe even 1 for a period of time depending on rotation or full potential, at worst a back end starter that goes 10-10 with a 3.50 ERA?

When we hit you, you don't get up. When you hit us, we get up laughing.

by air holmes on Aug 24, 2009 7:18 PM EDT reply actions

For young pitchers

the worst case is always worse than a back-end starter that goes 10-10 with a 3.50 ERA. The ERA at least is a lot closer to best case than worst.

by WestCoastBuc on Aug 25, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions

agree with air holmes

lovers salavate. broken hearts tesselate tonight.

by omar moreno on Aug 24, 2009 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

I have to say.....

I’m a bit curious that none of the upset fans, even on this site, who thought that the Pirates totally insulted or lowballed Freddy with their offer(s) aren’t chiming in here. Not that I think Freddy should have accepted the Pirates contract offer, because I don’t. But, because the idea that his injury risk was no-zero and he had to have some idea, I would imagine, that his shoulder still wasn’t perfectly fit.

Now it’s certainly possible that all of this happened after the trade and I am completely wrong about his injury and health. But I’m going to be surprised if he gets more than $10 million for two years now (assuming the option doesn’t vest). I guess, if I step back, he had to think he was healthy enough to play and his option certainly would vest, but I still feel bad for both these guys because I think their careers are quickly fading from July to Sept. and their paydays are going with it.

by David Todd on Aug 25, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions