Uribe Deserves New Giants Deal, Jonny Sanchez’s High Heat, Bullpen Catcher Buster Posey, and Looking Ahead to Rockies Series
September 8th, 2009
With all of the talk surrounding Bengie Molina’s contract situation, Juan Uribe is more deserving of a new Giants deal than Molina and Freddy Sanchez, and it’s not just because of Uribe’s recent hot-hitting. Of course, the Giants could re-sign both Sanchez and Uribe, and commit second base to Sanchez and third base to Uribe in 2010. But, if it comes down to one or the other, Uribe seems the more logical commitment.
For starters, Uribe is younger and more healthy. Uribe turned 30 in March, while Sanchez turns 32 in December. In his six weeks as a Giant, Sanchez has had knee and shoulder issues, while Uribe has mostly been pain-free. Health should be the number one concern when it comes to signing players to multi-year deals… even two-year contracts.
Uribe is also more versatile. While Sanchez hasn’t played anywhere other than second since 2006, the Giants can play Uribe at second, short, and third. Versatility is becoming one of those many aspects of baseball that has been undervalued. (In the way that on-base percentage and defense have been undervalued the last several years.) Uribe’s versatility also gives the team some leeway to develop their younger infielders. Uribe can play third to make room for a second baseman, and he play second so someone can play third or first (whichever position Sandoval isn’t playing). He also, of course, is capable of playing shortstop if Edgar Renteria continues to tail off next year.
Uribe does all of this while playing very good defense no matter where he’s playing. He’s only slightly below average at shortstop, but so is Renteria. Sanchez is a good defender at second, but Uribe is just as good in the field.
As for the offense, it may just be that Uribe will be a better hitter over the next couple of seasons. This season, Uribe’s OPS is .816, nearly 100 points better than his career mark (.726). His wOBA is .345 this season compared to a .309 career number. Maybe Uribe is in a salary drive (although I doubt it) but, perhaps more likely, Uribe is becoming a better hitter and one of the many players more successful in the National League. I’m not expecting a .816 OPS in the future, but a .780 OPS in 2010 and 2011 isn’t that unrealistic and still above average.
By comparison, Sanchez is a career .756 OPS hitter, and has a .768 mark this year. He did have an .851 OPS in his best season in 2006 when he hit .332, but that was when Sanchez was still in his 20’s. I’m guessing Sanchez’s 2009 offensive numbers are more reflective of his next few seasons. And, with Sanchez being 32 and 33 the next couple of seasons, the numbers could go down.
In the end, there may not be a huge difference between Uribe and Sanchez offensively in the next few seasons. However, Uribe’s versatility, defense, health, and clubhouse presence (which continues to get talked up) make him the better option to sign for the next few seasons. If you factor in that Uribe may be cheaper because so many people in baseball (Sabean?) are still in love with batting average, then he is a MUCH better option.
More notes:
Categories: San Francisco Giants | Tags: Bengie Molina, Brad Penny, Bruce Bochy, Buster Posey, Edgar Renteria, Eli Whiteside, Eugenio Velez, Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Jason Hammel, John Bowker, Jonathan Sanchez, Jorge De La Rosa, Jose Contreras, Juan Uribe, Matt Cain, Rockies, Tim Lincecum, Ubaldo Jimenez, Willie Mays | No Comments
