Wednesday, February 06, 2008
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Freddy Sanchez was a mess of nerves two weeks ago: His wife, Alissa, was on the verge of delivering their second child, and he had a side worry that his employer no longer wanted him.
Then, around dinner time Jan. 25, his agent got a phone call from the Pirates approaching him with a long-term offer.
The next day, Ryan Anthony was born.
And yesterday, Sanchez was signed and sealed to go with that delivery, putting the final touch on a contract that could cover three years -- two guaranteed plus a vested option -- and pay as much as $18.9 million.
"I'm thrilled," Sanchez said at a PNC Park news conference. "Pittsburgh is where I want to be. Everybody knows that. For me and my family, it was kind of a no-brainer. We love this community, and we appreciate the support that our fans give us. There's nothing better than going on the field knowing the fans are on your side, like they are here."
The Pirates, making their first major commitment under new management, sounded no less satisfied after securing their All-Star second baseman's rights through 2010.
"Freddy's exactly the kind of player we want to keep, on the field and in the community," general manager Neal Huntington said.
First, a breakdown of the deal ...
• Sanchez will make $4 million this season, plus a $300,000 signing bonus. That strikes common ground, given the salary figures the Pirates and Sanchez had exchanged -- the team $4.1 million, Sanchez $4.9 million -- toward their arbitration hearing that had been set for Monday.
• He will make $6.1 million in 2009.
• For 2010, the Pirates can exercise a club option of $8 million that can increase by as much as $500,000 on performance bonuses: $100,000 for 650 plate appearances in 2008, $100,000 for 650 plate appearances in '08 or '09, $100,000 for an All-Star berth in '08, $100,000 for an All-Star berth in '09, $100,000 for a Gold Glove or Silver Slugger in '08 or '09.
• There also are performance bonuses for 2010: $25,000 for an All-Star berth, $125,000 for World Series MVP and tiered bonuses of $125,000 for National League MVP, $75,000 for runner-up and $50,000 for third place.
• If the Pirates reject the 2010 option, they pay a $600,000 buyout.
• He can trigger that option automatically if he makes 635 plate appearances in 2009, or he has 600 plate appearances and an All-Star berth that same year.
• He will contribute $25,000 each year to Pirates Charities.
Now, a breakdown of how the deal was struck ...
All through December and January, the Pirates and Sanchez's agent, Paul Cobbe, had been bartering about a one-year contract aimed solely at avoiding arbitration. Not much came of that, as the sides ended up exchanging arbitration figures by Major League Baseball's Jan. 18 deadline.
Sanchez had two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, then could become a free agent after the 2009 season. And that is exactly how it figured to play out -- his leaving through free agency -- if he and the Pirates were to go year to year on contracts.
"You never knew what was going to happen with an all-new front office," Sanchez said. "Maybe they don't want you. Maybe they don't care what you've done in the past."
Then on Jan. 25, the Pirates' lead negotiator, Larry Silverman, approached Cobbe about trying two years and a club option. That was not appealing initially -- why would Sanchez give up a year of free agency to the Pirates' whim? -- but it soon morphed into the final arrangement.
"It meant a lot more to me that the call came from them," Sanchez said. "When Paul told me about the call, I said, 'OK, this is what I want. Let's get something done.' "
Sanchez sees the option year as very much in his control, particularly after making 632 plate appearances two seasons ago while winning the batting title and 653 last year.
"All I have to do is go out there and do what I've been doing," he said. "I consider this a three-year deal."
From the Pirates' perspective, the 2010 option offers a safeguard against Sanchez having a major injury -- though there also is insurance on any multiyear deal -- as well as the right to keep a prime player. Or, they could trade him, as there was no no-trade clause included.
"Mutually beneficial," Huntington called the contract. "The club gets cost certainty the first two years and market value for 2010."
Sanchez had a third reason to smile: He resumed throwing last week for the first time since having minor arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in September. He has been hitting for more than a month.
The shoulder "feels great," he said, adding that he expects to be ready for spring training. To ensure that, he plans to report with the pitchers and catchers Feb. 14, five days before position players, to have extra time with the athletic trainers.
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NOTES -- The Pirates will learn today if starter Sean Burnett clears waivers after the mandatory 48-hour period. If he does, the team's plan is to outright him to the minor leagues -- the player has no choice in that scenario -- and invite him to the major-league portion of spring training.
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