What If… Freddy Sanchez isn’t ready for Opening day?
Posted on February 8th, 2010 by admin in What If?
What If…Freddy Sanchez isn’t ready for Opening day? What does it mean for the Giants lineup
By Darrin Reyes
By Darrin Reyes
Guest Post
Freddy Sanchez had shoulder surgery in the off season and may not be ready for opening day. Based off the signing this off season the easy stand in for Freddy would be Juan Uribe. I think that putting Uribe in while Sanchez is away would be a good move but I’m not sure if it would be the best move for the Giants. All Giants fans hope that Freddy Sanchez will be ready for opening day. What if he isn’t?
Freddy Sanchez is a career .299 hitter with only 38 career home runs in 9 MLB seasons. He is not the big bat that all Giants fans are accustomed to but he serves a different role in the Giants line up. He is a great situational hitter that will help the Giants greatly when healthy. His absence will change the whole dynamic of the Giants line up.
Projected Line up with Sanchez
1. Rowand 2. Sanchez 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
The Giants have 4 players that could fill in as second baseman in Freddy’s absence. Juan Uribe, Eugenio Velez, Mark DeRosa and Emmanuel Burriss.
Juan Uribe
Juan Uribe was third on the team with 16 home runs last year but with the additions made this off season he becomes the player with the 5th most in 2009. Everyone knows that he is a free swinger and is the complete opposite of what Sanchez is. I think he would be a good fit but not the best for the Giants. He wouldn’t be a player you would want batting 2nd in your line up.
Possible Line up with Uribe at 2B
1. Rowand 2. DeRosa 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. Molina 6. Uribe 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Juan Uribe was third on the team with 16 home runs last year but with the additions made this off season he becomes the player with the 5th most in 2009. Everyone knows that he is a free swinger and is the complete opposite of what Sanchez is. I think he would be a good fit but not the best for the Giants. He wouldn’t be a player you would want batting 2nd in your line up.
Possible Line up with Uribe at 2B
1. Rowand 2. DeRosa 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. Molina 6. Uribe 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Eugenio Velez
After being called up in July he was one of the most productive Giants in 2009. He is someone that can be put in at the top of the line up and not damage the heart of the line up that the Giants have built from the moves this off season. He had 10 stolen bases while batting in the lead off spot in 2009. Having Velez at the lead off would bring Rowand to bat 2nd. Moving Rowand to 2nd in the batting order could give him better pitches to hit because he would have Sandoval batting behind him. The other benefit of having Velez is that he is also able to play outfield. Which brings one of the other possible players that could stand in for Sanchez.
After being called up in July he was one of the most productive Giants in 2009. He is someone that can be put in at the top of the line up and not damage the heart of the line up that the Giants have built from the moves this off season. He had 10 stolen bases while batting in the lead off spot in 2009. Having Velez at the lead off would bring Rowand to bat 2nd. Moving Rowand to 2nd in the batting order could give him better pitches to hit because he would have Sandoval batting behind him. The other benefit of having Velez is that he is also able to play outfield. Which brings one of the other possible players that could stand in for Sanchez.
Mark DeRosa
DeRosa has been a utility man for most of his career. He is projected to be the starting left fielder but he has spent 282 games of his 12 year career at second base. He only has 12 more games at third base over second. It is very possible for him to start at second base while Sanchez is away then move him back to outfield upon his return. There is no downfall to him being at second or in the outfield. I believe the most important factor would be keeping him in the heart of the line up.
DeRosa has been a utility man for most of his career. He is projected to be the starting left fielder but he has spent 282 games of his 12 year career at second base. He only has 12 more games at third base over second. It is very possible for him to start at second base while Sanchez is away then move him back to outfield upon his return. There is no downfall to him being at second or in the outfield. I believe the most important factor would be keeping him in the heart of the line up.
Possible Line up with Velez 2B/LF and DeRosa at LF/2B
1. Velez 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
1. Velez 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Emmanuel Burriss
Burriss has arguably the best arm for a position player in the Giants organization. He is among the fastest on the team. He’s a switch hitter that can possibly be the table setter that the Giants need at the top of the line up. He was sent down last year and did suffer a season ending foot injury in July. In 2009 he beat out Velez, Uribe, Aurilia and Frandsen in spring training to become the opening day second baseman. If he does well this spring training he may be able to win his spot as the stand in. This is something that could happen but I don’t it happening. I think he should stay down and would be better to be the short stop of the future.
Possible Line up with Burriss
1. Burriss 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
1. Burriss 2. Rowand 3. Sandoval 4. Huff 5. DeRosa 6. Molina 7. Renteria 8. Schierholtz
Kevin Frandsen and Matt Downs are not currently at the level of even Emmanuel Burriss. One of them could have a great spring training that could earn them a spot on the opening day roster but its something I don’t see coming. Burriss won the starting second baseman job last year only to be sent down mid season. The versatility of DeRosa could change the future for a Giant in 2010 while Sanchez is away. A good spring training for Torres or Bowker could even win one of them the spot in left field and have DeRosa start the year at second base.
I think the best fit for the Giants on opening day would be Velez put in at the top of the order while Sanchez is away. Having Velez at the top would keep the new core of the giants line up intact. That would bring Rowand to second in the order and may help him improve his numbers. I think any change to the line up should be only done at the first and second place in the order. I believe that Uribe does not make the best fit for the Giants line up in Sanchez absence. Uribe may be a better replacement for Renteria but that What If has not been written yet….
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Let’s just hope Freddy is ready to play…$6MM is a lot to pay for an injured player and we really didn’t get to see what he is capable of.
I recall Sabean saying in an interview with the Razor that he would love to have Sanchez…how is he loving it now?
If Burris starts, I guarantee you he won’t bat leadoff. Rowand would bat first followed by Renteria in that scenario, with Burris batting in the 8 hole.
You know I have really be looking into this so called replacement for Freddy S. There isn’t anyone on this team that could replace him defensivley. But what do you want at that position till he comes back. Do you want offense or defense,do you want Homeruns doubles or hits and steals? That’s the real question .. With Uuuuuuuuuuriiibbeee you get some pop and a great arm but his range is shot. With Velz and Burris you get speed and range. heres the pros and cons with those 2 velez has speed and no arm and average d and can hit a little bopper i should add. now Burris has an arm and some range but his hitting isn’t velez hitting. I hate to see Dersoa playing there cuz with Rowand and Nate he makes our D persentable in the outfield. Matt Downs and Kfed never took off and probable never will. So the best solution for now I would have to say UUUUUurrriiibbee at least he has power and lil range but has an arm. The main thing is he has pop and to see him bat infront of Pablo would help our 2 hole a litlle bit
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Well done. I liked how you gave us the four scenarios you thought could play out.
I only like two scenarios, and they’re a bit different than yours.
I think the best case scenario (and one the Giants won’t use) is to have DeRosa slide over to second and have Bowker in left field. You gain pop, and move DeRosa into the two hole. The problem is that you probably have to hit Molina 5 which isn’t what you want.
The other scenario is Frandsen because he’s a Sanchez type hitter with more pop. He might not hit for as high of an average by getting Sanchez-like slop singles, but he isn’t that far away in my opinion. Again, the Giants won’t do it because he’s not their favorite, but he’s a perfect fit.
I’d keep Uribe as a late inning replacement for Renteria. I think he’s more valuable that way. And I’d keep Eugenio “Manos De Piedra” Velez away from the infield. Gloves are not supposed to be made of stone.
Good stuff man.