Article:Jonathon Sanchez for Delmon Young?

About a week ago there was a blurb mentioned from the Winter meetings about the Twins offering the Giants Delmon Young for Jonathon Sanchez. While that trade straight up wouldn't be the best deal for the Giants as their need is for infielders and not outfielders. However, this proposal did get me thinking. I wonder if the Twins would consider expanding the deal and adding a few more players into the mix. My offer to the Twins would be Jonathon Sanchez, Nate Schierholtz and Randy Winn for Delmon Young, Michael Cuddyer (atlthough I still consider it if Cuddyer weren't involved) and Nick Blackburn. Here's why it would make sense for both teams:

The Giants: They'd be getting a young right-handed bat who massively underachieved in Minnesota last season and has huge potential. In the long run, Young will be better than Schierholtz and is a way better fit in this ballpark. Young reminds me of a younger Alex Rios and I think it's only a matter of time before we see that 20-20 or even 30-20 potential (probably the '09 season). He's only 23 and Delmon has already put together 2 respectable seasons. I think this 3rd year is the one where he will really take off and start realizing his potential. Also, Nick Blackburn could come in and take Sanchez's spot in the rotation. He doesn't have the upside that Sanchez has, but he's a solid young pitcher in his own right. His rookie season was a very good one (11-11 with a 4.05 era in 193 innings pitched). I'd rather have Slowey, Baker or of course Liriano back, but any of those 3 are probably off limits, at least in a proposed trade like this. Also asking for Cuddyer in addition may be stretching it a bit, but he would provide them a decent option at first or third. I'd still consider the deal though even if Cuddyer weren't involved though as Young's potential is that good.

The Twins: They have privately been shopping Young after he didn't perform up to their expectations and supposedly had some attitude issues. They could have interest in Winn as a right fielder for them as his contract expires after the '09 season and would probably put up better numbers than Young did for them last season. Schierholtz could play left field for them or take over in right when/if Winn left in free agency. And of course, they'd get their man in Sanchez, a guy with Francisco Liriano stuff and a guy they've had their eye on for a while now. They could figure that this deal could help fans forget about giving up Matt Garza, who's skills were put on display for the whole world to see in the fall. It just seems like a deal that could make a lot of sense for both teams. If the Twins really offered Young for Sanchez straight up, then you'd have to believe they'd have interest in doing this deal as well. They'd just be adding on a guy who would end up being their 5th starter and Cuddyer, who hasn't been as productive over the last couple of seasons.

All in all, the Twinkies rotation would look pretty darn good, and piled with young arms with a lot of stuff. Baker-Liriano-Slowey-Sanchez-Perkins with Boof Bonser as a possible swing man or reliever is a nice set-up. Also getting two quality outfielders in the veteran Winn and the youngster Schierholtz would help offset the loss of Cuddyer and Young. While the Giants get two much needed power/run producing bats into the lineup and although Blackburn isn't as nasty as Sanchez, they'd be getting themselves a more than capable starting pitcher.

Published @ The San Francisco Giants Blog