There's been a lot of talk about the Pirates trading Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez, but a new wrinkle has emerged:
The Pirates have approached shortstop Jack Wilson and second baseman Freddy Sanchez about multiyear contract extensions, putting on hold, for now, the possibility that either will be traded by Major League Baseball's July 31 deadline. But the clock is ticking. If the parties are to agree on extensions, they will need to do so far enough in advance of the deadline so that, if the Pirates decide no agreement is possible, they still can pursue a trade for one or both. That likely means something must get done within the next week to 10 days.
Despite all of the drama surrounding recent Pirates' trades, I can't recall an instance of Pirates' GM Neal Huntington playing games with players. Still, it strikes me as odd that contract offers are coming so late in the game and close to the deadline, leaving little time for negotiation. If it were any other GM I'd wonder whether this wasn't a PR move on the part of the team designed to lessen fan -- and player -- ire when two popular players are ultimately moved.
For what it's worth, both Sanchez and Wilson are playing fantastic defense this year, really enjoy playing in Pittsburgh and, based on this article and everything else I've seen, have no desire to break the bank. Against that backdrop, it would make sense to keep them around, both as a stability move and because it will give the fans something to be happy about in Pittsburgh.
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Counterpoint: Are either of these guys really good enough/young enough to suggest that they'll be a part of an eventual Pirates contender? Even in that weak division I suspect not.
Probably not, Grant, but I don't think that there are any guys who fit that description (for SS and 2B) in the Pirates' system right now, and having good gloves up the middle can do wonders for a pitching staff (see, Rafael Belliard in Atlanta in the early 90s). Plus, the fans have to have SOME reason to come to PNC park.
As long as they don't truly break the bank for these guys, I see no reason not to keep them around to bridge the gap between today and the probverbial next good Pirates' team.
Well, I suppose you're right. If they're going to be signing stopgaps anyway there's no reason not to just keep your internal stopgaps, especially if they'll sign for reasonable years and money.
Then again, their farm system's lack of prospect depth suggests that trading them is the best option. Nothing like a few trades to restock the ol' farm system.
While trades can/do help the farm system, is either of these guys going to bring anything of real worth back?
yeah, this is the other side of my argument. Does anybody need a shortstop or a second baseman? Some of the AL Central teams do, I suppose. Phillies? I dunno. There's the money issue, etc. etc.
It's a tough call. I guess that's why Neal Huntington makes the big bucks.