Sanders another option for LF

 

By Mike Berardino

and Ted Hutton Staff Writers

Posted July 27 2003

 

Rondell White isn't the only veteran left fielder on the Marlins' radar screen.

 

Pittsburgh's Reggie Sanders is another serious trade candidate if the surprising Marlins determine they need an upgrade on rookie Miguel Cabrera to stay in the wild-card race.

 

According to a major league source, Sanders is "getting a strong look" from the Marlins' front office. Like San Diego's White, Sanders can be a free agent at season's end, but his price is considerably lower.

 

While White is making $5 million this season, Sanders is on a one-year, $1 million deal. Sanders is batting .254 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI in 279 at-bats for the cash-strapped Pirates, who have already dumped Mike Williams, Aramis Ramirez, Kenny Lofton and Scott Sauerbeck in recent days.

 

"Personally, I think Reggie would be the better choice of the two," a major league scout said. "Both individuals are great makeup guys who would be solid additions to that club. Both are pretty much the same type offensively. The edge goes to Reggie defensively. Rondell is just not the outfielder Reggie is."

 

White, 31, has been to the playoffs once, hitting a homer in three at-bats with last year's New York Yankees. Sanders has made four playoff trips, including World Series appearances the past two years with Arizona (2001) and San Francisco (2002).

 

Sanders, 35, has hit .190 with four homers and 12 RBI in 147 postseason at-bats. Sanders has not been on the disabled list since April 2001, but was bothered by a hamstring injury earlier this season.

 

The Padres have long coveted Marlins back-up catcher Ramon Castro. According to sources, the Marlins have told the Padres they would be willing to include Castro in a deal for White after previously declaring the former first-rounder off limits.

 

An industry source said the Marlins also are monitoring veteran switch-hitter Felix Jose, who is hitting .377 with 19 home runs and 83 RBI for the Mexico City Red Devils.

 

Jose, 38, has a home in Boca Raton but is on loan from Arizona. Acquiring him would mean working out a deal with the Diamondbacks, who have offensive troubles of their own.

 

Cabrera, who had two hits and three RBI Saturday night, is batting .252 with five homers and 22 RBI since his June 20 promotion from Double-A Carolina.

:thumbup

Yea...Sanders is considerably cheaper..

And I don't want to part wit Castro because I don't know if we can resign Pudge meaning If we can't re-sign him then next year could be Castro's big year.

Would we just be renting White for this year?

 

If gettin White means parting with Castro then no...The FO needs to try to work a deal with Pudge so we could trade Castro.

I dont want us to deal Castro unless we are keeping Pudge. The way things are going, who knows.

 

But Sanders is a better choice than White. Here are some stats, for those of you who need numbers:

Sanders - no one on .276 .945OPS 12HR 152ABs

runners on .228 .674OPS 127ABs

RISP .273 .861OPS 5HR 77ABs

He actually gets better with RISP than when runners are just on. Also, not too much difference between his hitting with RISP and no one on.

 

White - no one on .270 .794 9HR 174ABs

runners on ..277 .790 7HR 159ABs

RISP .222 .709 5HR 90ABs

Gets better with runners on, but fails when RISP. Could be good at top of lineup, but we seem to have that area set. We need someone at the bottom to knock in runs, Sanders seems to be a better fit, based on stats. I also like intangibles like experience and chemistry, I think Sanders is a strong vet who could help out in those two areas. White has never been consistent and his career has been indicative of that - so his credibility would not be as great as Sanders by my estimation.

We don't need Sanders or White. We need to save our trade money for a reliever if Spooney isn't coming back soon.

i usually dont like talking trades (especially in season), because I'd rather focus on the games, wild card, players, etc. But, I really think if we make any trades, they need to be for a lefty bullpen pitcher. Not a bat.

You know, if we do deal for a LF, great.

 

But if we don't, does it really matter all that much?

We don't need anyone right now. We are winning and that is not easy to do. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Id take another bullpen arm...preferably a cheaper, lesser known player