Rumors, news, injuries, call-ups, trades....it's fast and furious, folks, as we approach the deadline. Let's get to the bullet points!
* Freddie Sanchez is almost a Giant, if you believe some reports. Let's step back a second: Sanchez won a batting title in 2006. He's an All-Star. OMGCBGBOMFUG!!!!1!!!1!
He also put up shockingly bad numbers last year: .271 / .298 / .371. The Giants desperately need two things on offense: Guys who hit for power and guys who get on base. Despite the shiny happy batting title, Sanchez doesn't do either well. Career OBP: .336. Career SLG: .421. He is 31, he has a history of back and knee problems, he's due to make $8 million next year. His defense is generally above average, but not overwhelmingly so. Yes, he's an upgrade over the Giants' cumulative second-base stats this year, but everything else points to No. As Baggs mentioned last night on his blog, if the Giants are set on Sanchez, at least make sure he's healthy and hope he slips through the August waiver wire.
* Scouts have noticed Madison Bumgarner's velocity is down recently. BP prospect guru Kevin Goldstein notes this morning (subscription req'd) there are whispers of shutting him down for the year as a precaution. (MadBum is approaching 250 IP combined in his first two pro years out of high school.) If this is the case, he's less likely to reach the majors in 2010. I'd guess the team would want to see him prove his stamina over a full year at a higher minor league level before exposing him to the rigors of big-league ball.
This, plus the fact that Tim Alderson has been good but not dominant in Double-A, is a cautionary tale about prospect hype and breathless timelines. Goldstein, always a charming man, titles his item this morning "Panic in the Streets of San Fran," but I'll counter with a different bit of Smithery: These things take time.
* Ryan Sadowski starts Friday night against the Phils. If it's his last chance to impress, the odds are stacked against him. And if his work feeds the team's decision whether to pursue another starting pitcher, it comes too late: the trade deadline is 1 p.m. Friday Pacific time. Ah, but wait: Pitchers with big salaries should clear waivers this year, so this could be an August pursuit for the Giants. But I'd expect them to try Kevin Pucetas, Joe Martinez, perhaps even Ramon Ortiz, who has thrown well in Fresno this year, in the 5th rotation slot before going the trade route.
* Then again, example No. 437 Why You Shouldn't Get Too Excited About Triple-A Stats: Adam Eaton, now in the Rockies' system, has an ERA below 2.50 through nine PCL starts. (Stat tip from the mighty Steve S.)
