The Royals acquired lefty Jonathan Sanchez and minor leaguer Ryan Verdugo from the Giants for Melky Cabrera, announced the team.

 

Sanchez, 28, may have been a non-tender candidate for the Giants after a disappointing 2011 season that saw him walk 5.9 per nine innings and miss significant time with biceps tendinitis and a sprained ankle. The southpaw is tough to hit and has big-time strikeout numbers, but control has always been a problem. He projects to earn $5.2MM in 2012, after which he'll be eligible for free agency. That he was traded for Cabrera shows how much his trade value slipped during the '11 season.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/royals-acquire-jonathan-sanchez-for-melky-cabrera.html

 

I was going to post something about the Marlins maybe taking a run at Sanchez, but too late now.

Big year for sanchez.. if he has a nice season, he will be in line for a nice pay day

They couldn't do better than Melky?

I don't expect Melky to repeat his 2011 performance next season.

They couldn't do better than Melky?

 

 

Melky is a perfect fit in SF. Sabean really loves his low .OBP mediocre hitters.

 

With that said, while I think Sanchez has some upside, I also think he's one of the most overrated pitchers in baseball. I wouldn't expect anything spectacular out of him now pitching in the AL.

I like Melky more than most to maintain what he did last year, so I think this is fair value. They're both extremely flawed players who can nonetheless provide value.

Initial reaction is that the Royals have done better in this deal. I dont rate Melky particularly highly.

why is melky not a free agent?

 

hes played 6 full seasons but his service time is only 5.148. did the yankees do something to start his arbitration clock later?

I didn't realize that Melky was as good this year as he was, so it almost seems like the Giants are selling low on their own player and buying high on a player who may have had a fluke year.

Great trade by the Royals.

I think people don't realize Melky is only 27 because he's been around so long.

This is just a good all-around trade that'll work out well for both sides.

 

Sanchez was a non-tender candidate since the Giants are just loaded with good arms.

 

Melky was coming off an outstanding year and the Royals needed some another potential-laden person to join them and their young but explosive offense.

 

It works.

The Royals will also get to replace Melky with Lorenzo Cain who certainly has the potential to be better than Melky.