Sanchez, Wilson dynamic double-play duo

By Rob Biertempfel, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/
Sunday, July 19, 2009

Pirates coach Perry Hill has worked with infielders for more than a quarter of a century. He has mentored All-Stars and Gold Glove winners for five major-league teams and also has tutored the Chunichi Dragons of the Japanese Central League.

Shortstop Jack Wilson (left) and second baseman Freddy Sanchez provide a formidable double-play duo for the Pirates.Chaz Palla/Tribune-Review

Hill has seen a lot of slick double-play combinations, but one stands apart from the rest.

"There is none better than Freddy and Jack," Hill said. "Hands down."

Second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson first played together as teenagers. For the past four seasons, they have graced the grass together at PNC Park.

"There's no question they're a very talented pair of middle infielders," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "In a perfect world, we'd like to try to keep it together for years to come. Is that feasible? Time will tell. But they are fun to watch play."

Yet, by the end of this month, one of the smoothest double-play combos in Pirates history most likely will be broken up.

Last week, the Pirates offered both players contract extensions -- with significantly reduced salaries. Wilson and Sanchez have rejected the team's initial offers. Huntington declined to say whether the Pirates will make counteroffers.

"We don't really know the direction they're going, whether they're really interested or not," Wilson said. "This thing just kind of popped up out of nowhere for both of us."

Wilson can be a free agent after this season. Sanchez also can be a free agent, unless he makes 600 plate appearances to trigger an $8.6 million contract option for 2010.

Sanchez will turn 32 on Dec. 21. Wilson will get there eight days later. The Pirates are not willing to allocate $16 million or more next year to a pair of thirty-somethings.

Management wants the contract talks wrapped up, one way or the other, in a hurry. The non-waiver trade deadline is July 31, and both Sanchez and Wilson have been scouted by other teams.

"I don't think 'trade bait' is the appropriate term," Huntington said. "We're not shoveling people out the door. If we get the right opportunity, something we think makes us a better organization, it's something we'll (do). If not, we'll continue to enjoy these guys."

Sanchez's .995 fielding percentage ranks second among National League second basemen, and he leads the league with 59 double plays turned. Among shortstops, Wilson is second with 60 double plays turned.

Sanchez and Wilson were teammates on the West Oaks summer league all-star team before their senior years of high school in southern California. It was the first time they met.

"We hung out and had a lot of fun. We got along right from the start," Sanchez said. "Even then, it was a blast. We turned some crazy double plays. There were some plays that Jack made that were unbelievable."

Wilson was the St. Louis Cardinals' ninth-round draft pick in 1998. In July 2000, while he was in Double-A, Wilson was traded to the Pirates.

The Boston Red Sox drafted Sanchez in the 11th round in 2000. Almost three years to the day after acquiring Wilson, the Pirates swung a deal to get Sanchez.

Unlike Wilson, who was an every-day player from the start, Sanchez took a while to become a regular. Sanchez played mostly third base in 2005 and '06. He began 2007 on the bench, then forced his way into the lineup and wound up winning the National League batting title.

During the 2007 season, Wilson and Sanchez began re-forming their bond as middle infielders. They quickly established a form of baseball ESP. It's not unusual to see Wilson make a diving stop, flip the ball blindly out of his glove directly to Sanchez, who pivots and fires to first base to complete the double play.

"Everything Jack and I do is on instinct," Sanchez said. "He knows what I'm going to do, and I know what he's going to do."

In an era when players switch teams frequently, the Pirates have an advantage because Sanchez and Wilson are so familiar with each other. Wilson has turned double plays with 24 second basemen on the Pirates, but none as frequently — or with such dazzling consistency — as with Sanchez.

"Freddy is by far the best," Wilson said. "He's so athletic. What we can do up the middle with our athleticism, we feel like we can get to every ball and make a play on every ball. That's something you don't see a lot these days."

That strength up the middle is vital for a team such as the Pirates, whose pitching staff is geared more toward contact than strikeouts.

"When a pitcher knows he has defense behind him, it makes him feel a lot more comfortable," manager John Russell said. "He knows if he attacks the zone, (the batter will) put it in play, and if it's in play, we'll catch it. Jack and Freddy have done a great job with that."

In addition to being nearly automatic on double plays, Sanchez and Wilson routinely make sparkling solo efforts. A week ago in Philadelphia, Wilson made a sliding, over-the-shoulder catch and popped up to double speedy Jimmy Rollins off first base.

As Wilson dusted himself off, Sanchez tried to keep a straight face.

"That's about a five (out of 10)," Sanchez said in a ho-hum tone. "I've seen better."

Wilson just laughed. He knew his infield buddy was joking.

"I was just watching the whole thing, thinking Jack had a chance," Sanchez said later. "It was a great play, but it didn't surprise me that he made it. I've seen him make those kind of plays a lot."