Humberto Sanchez, a 300 lb. beast from da Bronx, NY is touted as a strong middle-rotation pitcher. He had some arm trouble a couple of years back but last year he quickly ascended from AA to AAA and he has been the subject of trade rumors since he pitched impressively last year. A couple of years ago, he was profiled as having a 92-93 mph fastball with incredible movement. Well, at that speed, the ball better dance.
The other guys are A-Class pitchers presently. Whelan, the reliever, is a sleeper. He throws 4 different types of fastballs and is touted as a good reliever (possibly closer?) for the future. And the other guy apparently calls his mom on weekends and pays his taxes.
Bottom line: I'm not sold on this trade one bit. Sure, we got young pitching, always a good commodity. But we have Philip Hughes ready to take on the majors. We have our own friggin prospects! We could have moved on Linebrink, solidified our bullpen with one of the games best relievers, and simultaneously send Sheff to the NL. Now, we get to deal with a potential post-season contender in Detroit for the next few years and 'ol Sheff sitting in the 3-hole licking his chops, waiting to strike back at us. I can see it now, the 2009 ALCS, Game 7, Sheff hits a Grand Slam in the 5th off of phenom Humberto Sanchez of the Yankees to put the Yanks down for good.
It way work out well, and we may benefit from having a younf rotation for the next several years (Wang, Hughes, Sanchez). But I remain skeptical as of now.
Sanchez, 23, who was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 earned run average at Class AAA Toledo and Class AA Erie, is the closest to being ready for the major leagues. He is 6 feet 6 inches and is from the Bronx. Whelan, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.67 E.R.A. and 27 saves at Class A Lakeland. Claggett, 22, was 7-2 with a 0.91 E.R.A. and 14 saves for Class A West Michigan.
“We gave up a lot,” said Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers’ general manager. “I winced.”
I like the trade so far, but it does raise a few questions. Is Matsui now our full time DH? If not, are we in the market for a first baseman? Where does Melky fit in if Giambi is the full time DH?
I think we got three good young arms. Their numbers are outstanding at their respective levels, and Sanchez could help us this season. It should be interesting.
Nomar doesn't have to the everyday 1B. I like the idea of getting him. Good call.
As for Humberto, aside from his sharing the same birthday as myself, I only have one concern-- he's suffered elbow injuries. I'm always leery of prospects, but then you got one with a possible long-term arm problem, that's a concern. I would have felt better with Linebrink. But it is too early to say what's going to come of this trade.
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Humberto Sanchez, a 300 lb. beast from da Bronx, NY is touted as a strong middle-rotation pitcher. He had some arm trouble a couple of years back but last year he quickly ascended from AA to AAA and he has been the subject of trade rumors since he pitched impressively last year. A couple of years ago, he was profiled as having a 92-93 mph fastball with incredible movement. Well, at that speed, the ball better dance.
The other guys are A-Class pitchers presently. Whelan, the reliever, is a sleeper. He throws 4 different types of fastballs and is touted as a good reliever (possibly closer?) for the future. And the other guy apparently calls his mom on weekends and pays his taxes.
Bottom line: I'm not sold on this trade one bit. Sure, we got young pitching, always a good commodity. But we have Philip Hughes ready to take on the majors. We have our own friggin prospects! We could have moved on Linebrink, solidified our bullpen with one of the games best relievers, and simultaneously send Sheff to the NL. Now, we get to deal with a potential post-season contender in Detroit for the next few years and 'ol Sheff sitting in the 3-hole licking his chops, waiting to strike back at us. I can see it now, the 2009 ALCS, Game 7, Sheff hits a Grand Slam in the 5th off of phenom Humberto Sanchez of the Yankees to put the Yanks down for good.
It way work out well, and we may benefit from having a younf rotation for the next several years (Wang, Hughes, Sanchez). But I remain skeptical as of now.
Hey, we still have Torre as our skipper! GOOD NEWS!
Here are a few bits from the NY Times:
Sanchez, 23, who was a combined 10-6 with a 2.53 earned run average at Class AAA Toledo and Class AA Erie, is the closest to being ready for the major leagues. He is 6 feet 6 inches and is from the Bronx. Whelan, 22, was 4-1 with a 2.67 E.R.A. and 27 saves at Class A Lakeland. Claggett, 22, was 7-2 with a 0.91 E.R.A. and 14 saves for Class A West Michigan.
“We gave up a lot,” said Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers’ general manager. “I winced.”
I like the trade so far, but it does raise a few questions. Is Matsui now our full time DH? If not, are we in the market for a first baseman? Where does Melky fit in if Giambi is the full time DH?
I think we got three good young arms. Their numbers are outstanding at their respective levels, and Sanchez could help us this season. It should be interesting.
Good call, Phil. I would love Nomar in that spot. But is he healthy? I seem to remember he went down late.
Nomar doesn't have to the everyday 1B. I like the idea of getting him. Good call.
As for Humberto, aside from his sharing the same birthday as myself, I only have one concern-- he's suffered elbow injuries. I'm always leery of prospects, but then you got one with a possible long-term arm problem, that's a concern. I would have felt better with Linebrink. But it is too early to say what's going to come of this trade.
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