Analyzing the components of Tuesday's trade that sent Rey Sanchez to Atlanta:
To the Braves:
Rey Sanchez, SS | |||||
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What's to gain: The best all-around shortstop few people have watched this year. Sanchez rebounded from a poor 2000 season at the plate to hit around .300 all year. His short stroke makes him effective against all sorts of pitchers, good at moving runners and tough to strike out. He's one of the steadiest defensive players in the game, committing just seven errors the past two seasons. | ||||
| What's to lose: Sanchez hits for average but little else, with 12 career homers in 11 seasons. In fact, he has just 19 extra-base hits this year. Yet he keeps swinging, walking just 11 times so far this season. He's not a flashy shortstop given his average speed and range. | |||||
| What's his role: Spend two months in Atlanta filling in Rafael Furcal and enhancing his free-agent resume. The Braves probably could've survived with Mark DeRosa at short, but they didn't have to try. | |||||
To the Royals:
Brad Voyles, RHP |
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| What's to gain: A Double-A closer who had been powering his way up the Braves' minor-league ladder. He posted a 1.11 ERA last year at Class A for one of the best bullpens in the minors. He has struck out 98 batters in 75 innings over the last two years. |
| What's to lose: At age 24, Voyles is old to be making his first season at Double-A. He missed the first month of the season with a broken ankle. |
| What's his role: Join the Royals' farm system. The Braves are so deep at the lower levels that a player like Voyles can easily be lost. |
Alejandro Machado, IF |
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| What's to gain: A fast, slick-hitting middle infielder who won player of the year honors at Class A Danville by hitting .341. He has stolen 50 bases in the equivalent of a season and a half of minor-league ball. He's just 19 years old. Still, he's a longshot. |
| What's to lose: Soft-hitting speedsters are not in short supply for the Royals (see Carlos Febles). He needs to learn plate discipline. |
| What's his role: Pack up for the Royals' farm system. Not a top-rated prospect, but still good in exchange for Sanchez. |
| R E L A T E D L I N K S: |
Key players in the Ugueth Urbina trade
Key players in the Pedro Astacio trade
Key players in the Reed-Lawton trade
Key players in the Jason Schmidt trade
Key players in the Sterling Hitchcock trade
