What should we do with Aaron Sanchez next year?

[Terminator]

Under control through 2020 so by the time we contend he's probably gone. He kind of sucks now too. Should we move him to the bullpen? Maybe trade him? Would anyone even want him?

 

I think I'd just try and trade him to a team who wants to continue to his him as a starter. If a team gave up a Top 10 prospect I'd take it in a second but I'd consider pieces short of that as well. Failing that I might try him out in the bullpen and hope he's shows something there before moving him at the deadline.

[Krylian]

I'd move him at the next deadline if he bounces back and starts pitching like the Sanchez of 2016 cause he's not gonna re-sign here. There's no reason to move him this off-season. His value is garbage....if he has another s*** season it's not like his value will go in the toilet like Donaldson's did...it's already in the toilet.

[BTS]

I don't think he has any trade value, and the bullpen is a tire fire, so I'd move him there to see how he looks in shorter outings. No interest in another season of him trying to start.

[wilko]

Try to build value and trade him. Boras will try to sell him at his 2016 stats and blindly ignore everything else.

[Laika]

I don't think his value is as terrible as you guys do. He has amazing stuff, two years of control left, and he was a legitimate star player in 2016.

 

I think I would let teams know he is available but most likely let him start in 2019, see if he can stay healthy and be a great deadline trade chip.

[Boxcar]

Release him back into the forest imo

[KevinGregg]

I don't think he has any trade value, and the bullpen is a tire fire, so I'd move him there to see how he looks in shorter outings. No interest in another season of him trying to start.

 

In a vacuum I agree with moving him to the pen for all the reasons you said, but our rotation next year is so thin I think we might as well give him one last chance at starting. If he does well he could bring back a haul at the deadline as he would be a good starter with a year of control still left. If not, then you try him in the pen and see if you can flip him in 2020 as a reliever.

[Bobthe4th]

I don’t see any downside to having him start next year. If he fails, he can still be sent to the bullpen towards the end of the season (and likely then traded).

 

If he succeeds we’ve got another valuable asset, and he could be extended or traded. Due to injury he’s only had one full season as a starter and he was elite that year.

[Dr. Dinger]

I must have missed the part where we are overflowing with high caliber starting pitchers that bury Sanchez on our depth chart. In light of this new information, I of course vote to relegate him to the bullpen where we can both minimize his contributions and trade value.

[bones10]

I don't think his value is as terrible as you guys do. He has amazing stuff, two years of control left, and he was a legitimate star player in 2016.

 

I think I would let teams know he is available but most likely let him start in 2019, see if he can stay healthy and be a great deadline trade chip.

 

bad take

[Olerud363]

Under control through 2020 so by the time we contend he's probably gone. He kind of sucks now too. Should we move him to the bullpen? Maybe trade him? Would anyone even want him?

 

I think I'd just try and trade him to a team who wants to continue to his him as a starter. If a team gave up a Top 10 prospect I'd take it in a second but I'd consider pieces short of that as well. Failing that I might try him out in the bullpen and hope he's shows something there before moving him at the deadline.

 

I'd like to try and understand what happened to him. I saw him twice in 2016, in April in Boston, in October, in Boston. Both times he looked amazing.

 

I recall him having a very good sinking fastball, and good curve. Not bad control. Ground ball machine.

 

Then the last two years he's been a disaster. Even when healthy looks completely different (I think). With a bizarre, ineffective change up instead of the curve.

 

Is my memory correct?? Has his pitch selection changed in the last two years?? Perhaps the curve was causing the blister issues?? Or am I totally wrong on this, and his pitch selection is about the same, but he's just bad now....

[KevinGregg]

I'd like to try and understand what happened to him. I saw him twice in 2016, in April in Boston, in October, in Boston. Both times he looked amazing.

 

I recall him having a very good sinking fastball, and good curve. Not bad control. Ground ball machine.

 

Then the last two years he's been a disaster. Even when healthy looks completely different (I think). With a bizarre, ineffective change up instead of the curve.

 

Is my memory correct?? Has his pitch selection changed in the last two years?? Perhaps the curve was causing the blister issues?? Or am I totally wrong on this, and his pitch selection is about the same, but he's just bad now....

 

Without looking anything up, I think he's using the curveball like 1/5 as often as in 2016 and using the change up 5 times more, with overall fastball% being relatively similar. It looks to me like basically he's replaced the curveball with the changeup as his primary offspeed pitch because of the blister issues.

 

edit: looked it up. He was pretty similar in 2016 and 2017, and a totally different pitcher in 2018

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/outcome.php?player=592717&b_hand=-1&gFilt=&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&time=year&minmax=ci&var=pcount&s_type=2&endDate=09/10/2018&startDate=02/29/2016

[Olerud363]

I'd like to try and understand what happened to him. I saw him twice in 2016, in April in Boston, in October, in Boston. Both times he looked amazing.

 

I recall him having a very good sinking fastball, and good curve. Not bad control. Ground ball machine.

 

Then the last two years he's been a disaster. Even when healthy looks completely different (I think). With a bizarre, ineffective change up instead of the curve.

 

Is my memory correct?? Has his pitch selection changed in the last two years?? Perhaps the curve was causing the blister issues?? Or am I totally wrong on this, and his pitch selection is about the same, but he's just bad now....

 

Using the google machine and the fangraphs I found out

 

a) he throws way more changeups now than 2016

this year it's his most effective pitch

c) however 2016 he threw his curveball more and more effectively.

d) he's lost 2 mph on his sinker and four seamer.

 

What do you make of all this?? Injury beyond the blister and suitcase finger thing?

[Spanky99]

Without looking anything up, I think he's using the curveball like 1/5 as often as in 2016 and using the change up 5 times more, with overall fastball% being relatively similar. It looks to me like basically he's replaced the curveball with the changeup as his primary offspeed pitch because of the blister issues.

 

edit: looked it up. He was pretty similar in 2016 and 2017, and a totally different pitcher in 2018

http://www.brooksbaseball.net/outcome.php?player=592717&b_hand=-1&gFilt=&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&pFilt=FA|SI|FC|CU|SL|CS|KN|CH|FS|SB&time=year&minmax=ci&var=pcount&s_type=2&endDate=09/10/2018&startDate=02/29/2016

 

Heh... that Sonnet commercial cracks me up, when he doesn't even throw it, lol.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETNRqK03XY4

[bones10]

Heh... that Sonnet commercial cracks me up, when he doesn't even throw it, lol.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETNRqK03XY4

 

stroman had one last year too, saying he touches 98 or something close to that, yet it rarely, or never happens.

[Terminator]

I must have missed the part where we are overflowing with high caliber starting pitchers that bury Sanchez on our depth chart. In light of this new information, I of course vote to relegate him to the bullpen where we can both minimize his contributions and trade value.

 

Do you think he'll regain value if he continues to start? He looks cooked to me as a starter but maybe he could be effective as a late inning reliever again- that was my line of thinking moreso than me worrying about who our 5th starter in a non-compete year will be. But I do get what you're saying, if he starts again and succeeds he'd be worth a lot more.

 

But I don't think he's the same pitcher. Velo is lower and he uses his changeup now A LOT (never used to use it much at all) and his curveball not very much. Not sure that combination is going to allow him to achieve 2016 results.

[BTS]

Do you think he'll regain value if he continues to start? He looks cooked to me as a starter but maybe he could be effective as a late inning reliever again- that was my line of thinking moreso than me worrying about who our 5th starter in a non-compete year will be. But I do get what you're saying, if he starts again and succeeds he'd be worth a lot more.

 

But I don't think he's the same pitcher. Velo is lower and he uses his changeup now A LOT (never used to use it much at all) and his curveball not very much. Not sure that combination is going to allow him to achieve 2016 results.

 

I think he may have adjusted his repertoire to help prevent blisters. He’d throw a lot fewer pitches as a reliever, so maybe he could use the curve a bigger percentage of the time while still keeping his fingers healthy.

 

Overall, it seems more likely that he’s an elite reliever than an above average starter. And elite relievers have trade value at the deadline.

[John_Havok]

Do you think he'll regain value if he continues to start? He looks cooked to me as a starter but maybe he could be effective as a late inning reliever again- that was my line of thinking moreso than me worrying about who our 5th starter in a non-compete year will be. But I do get what you're saying, if he starts again and succeeds he'd be worth a lot more.

 

But I don't think he's the same pitcher. Velo is lower and he uses his changeup now A LOT (never used to use it much at all) and his curveball not very much. Not sure that combination is going to allow him to achieve 2016 results.

 

He's got all the right pitches... his mix is just stupid.

 

Start throwing the 4 seamer and curve more, 2 seamer less.

[Jimcanuck]

I think he may have adjusted his repertoire to help prevent blisters. He’d throw a lot fewer pitches as a reliever, so maybe he could use the curve a bigger percentage of the time while still keeping his fingers healthy.

 

Overall, it seems more likely that he’s an elite reliever than an above average starter. And elite relievers have trade value at the deadline.

 

You read my post from last week.

[WryNGinger]

I think he needs to re-learn his mechanics since he has basically been throwing differently since the blister. He was throwing differently to mitigate the effects of the blister issue (unsuccessfully). Edited September 10, 2018 by WryNGinger
Repetitive language

[TheHurl]

If Sanchez is somewhere in between 2016 and 2018. He might get dealt. If he's close to 2016 they will be keeping him for 2020. The Jays are not the Rays, they won't keep trying to trade players with eligibility left. I think if anything we'll see more situations where they let them hit free agency. There is a better chance he's traded this offseason IMO, but still don't see it happening.

[John_Havok]

If Sanchez is somewhere in between 2016 and 2018. He might get dealt. If he's close to 2016 they will be keeping him for 2020. The Jays are not the Rays, they won't keep trying to trade players with eligibility left. I think if anything we'll see more situations where they let them hit free agency. There is a better chance he's traded this offseason IMO, but still don't see it happening.

 

He'll probably be traded to Houston where he becomes an ace overnight after they teach him to use the right pitches more often.

[THANOS]

He'll probably be traded to Houston where he becomes an ace overnight after they teach him to use the right pitches more often.

 

It's actually ridiculous how much ahead of every other pitching system they seem to be. I bet Stroman would have a 11 K/9 in Houston. Whatever they're doing, if only we could apply the same technology/coaching/etc to our guys, that would be great.

[TheHurl]

He'll probably be traded to Houston where he becomes an ace overnight after they teach him to use the right pitches more often.

 

I'm thinking he's a guy that AA would pursue.

[5ToolPhenom]

Overall, it seems more likely that he’s an elite reliever than an above average starter. And elite relievers have trade value at the deadline.

 

I agree. He reminds me a lot of Brandon Morrow. A guy with a big arm and a lot of potential who just can't seem to keep it together long enough to be an effective starter. Last time Sanchez was good was 2 years ago, which is essentially an eternity in baseball years.

[Brownie19]

I'm thinking he's a guy that AA would pursue.

 

He was AA's favourite prospect in 2011.

[glory]

Sanchez is a Boras client who is a free agent after 2020.

 

So he'll have a great year in 2020.

 

That's all I'm certain of. 2019 is probably going to be inconsistency mixed with blisters again.

[Grant77]

Sanchez was one of the top pitchers in baseball before his blister issues. The stuff is still there so you keep him and let him start. How is this even a debate?

 

The entire point of rebuilding years is to get core players for the next championship team. Let Sanchez figure it out and be one of those players. If he's not then we haven't really lost anything.

[Grant77]

It's actually ridiculous how much ahead of every other pitching system they seem to be. I bet Stroman would have a 11 K/9 in Houston. Whatever they're doing, if only we could apply the same technology/coaching/etc to our guys, that would be great.

 

Foreign substances on the baseball will do that for you. I have serious doubts that coaching had much to do with it. Guys like Verlander are set in their ways and haven't changed much.

[FrozenRopes]

I don't think his value is as terrible as you guys do. He has amazing stuff, two years of control left, and he was a legitimate star player in 2016.

 

I think I would let teams know he is available but most likely let him start in 2019, see if he can stay healthy and be a great deadline trade chip.

 

Ross, is that you?