February 05, 2008
Two Plus Years for Sanchez
The Pirates are about to sign Freddy Sanchez to a two-year deal with a vesting option for the third year:
For 2010, there will be a club option that would involve another raise if the Pirates exercise it, a buyout if they do not. But that comes with a large asterisk: If Sanchez performs at a certain level in the first two seasons of the contract -- believed to be based on a reasonable threshold of plate appearances -- a provision in the contract automatically triggers that option.
That year was known to be important to Sanchez, who was set to become a free agent after the 2009 season. This arrangement will allow the Pirates to retain his rights one year beyond that, even as it will offer Sanchez a vehicle to prove his worth independently.
Sanchez will earn about $19 million if the option kicks in. Not bad for a middle infielder who can hit. The problem with Sanchez is his age. His seasonal age for 2008 is 30, meaning the Pirates are just catching the end of the peak of his career. If the decline comes sooner than later, the Pirates are off the hook.
Assuming you mean on the hook - Sanchez looks like signed trade bait to me - for a non contender he's a solid player who's not going to hit with enough power to make a huge difference but who might look like a good piece to a contender