Looking to add another outfielder and potential leadoff hitter, San Francisco acquired Melky Cabrera from the Royals earlier today in exchange for starting pitcher Jonathan Sanchez.
Cabrera is coming off of a 2011 season that saw the 27-year old post career offensive numbers across the board. His .305 average, 18 home runs, 87 RBIs and 20 stolen bases were all career bests for Cabrera, who departs Kansas City after just one season.
Trading Sanchez is a strong indication that the Giants have faith in either Barry Zito or Eric Surkamp to win the fifth and final spot in the rotation in 2012.
After going 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 2011 for the world champion Giants, Sanchez posted a 4-7 record and a 4.26 ERA in 2011 for San Francisco before ending up on the disabled list for most of the second half.
With a no-hitter already on his resume, Sanchez undoubtedly has the tools to pitch well at the major league level but has battled control issues for most of his young career (5.9 BB per nine innings in 2011).
A change of scenery may be the best fit for Sanchez, as he goes to a rebuilding Kansas City team that is loaded with young talent and looking to contend down the road as their prospects develop.
Dealing Cabrera to the Giants was another step towards the future in Kansas City, opening up the center field job for top prospect Lorenzo Cain who will likely step in as the leadoff hitter for the Royals in 2012.
The Giants also sent minor league pitcher Ryan Verdugo to the Royals along with Sanchez to complete the deal, carving even deeper into what used to be a strength of the minor league organization.
Verdugo joins a long list of Giants pitching prospects who were traded in 2011 as San Francisco made an attempt to go for their second straight division title.
Young arms like Zack Wheeler, Henry Sosa and now Verdugo have all now been traded, transforming the Giants minor league pitching depth from one of the best in the league to one that has few top prospects remaining.
The worst part may be if the Giants are unable to sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran and/or infielder Jeff Keppinger, who were both acquired before the deadline for Wheeler and Sosa respectively.
Trading for Cabrera may be a hint that Beltran isn't in the Giants price range for 2012 and beyond, which would mean Wheeler was sent to the Mets for two months of Beltran's services if he does in fact sign with another team.
The acquisition of Cabrera also means that fellow center fielder Grady Sizemore may no longer be in the Giants plans as had been rumored, unless Cabrera is moved to a corner outfield position which isn't out of the realm of possibility.
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