The Sanchez/Cabrera Trade And How It Affects 2012

In one swift move Dayton Moore improved the rotation and the team's defense. After receiving no suitable offers for Melky Cabrera at the trade deadline Moore sent him to the Giants yesterday in exchange for lefty Jonathan Sanchez. While Sanchez comes with more than a few question marks he'll do much better than anything the unholy trifecta of Sean O'Sullivan/Vin Mazzaro/Luis Mendoza would provide.

Sanchez will be a free agent at the end of next season so it's hard to believe this'll be the sole addition to the rotation. I mean that wouldn't really make much sense unless Moore thought he could extend Sanchez or flip him at the deadline. What I suspect is happening is that front office believes the Central is up for grabs and wants to go for it but without mortgaging too much of the future.

Now Sanchez alone doesn't vault the Royals into contention so I think that a trade for another starting pitcher - one with a well established track record - is still a viable possibility. I'm speaking of course of the move we've all been expecting, the one where Moore parts with Wil Myers or Mike Montgomery. Acquiring Sanchez doesn't mean the search for an ace is over.

Cabrera being dealt opens up centerfield for Lorenzo Cain, a player with plus defense and plus speed. Cain has significantly more range than Cabrera so his addition to the lineup will help all the pitchers. I mentioned on twitter shortly after the trade was announced that I hope Yost leaves Alex Gordon in the leadoff spot as his insertion there was one of Yost's best moves. I even went so far as to predict the opening day lineup, which I'll share here too:

1. Gordon
2. Giavotella
3. Butler
4. Hosmer
5. Francoeur
6. Moustakas
7. Cain
8. Perez
9. Escobar

That's a pretty solid starting nine I think which leads me to believe that the offense will be just fine, even without Cabrera's bat. And let's be honest, he was unlikely to replicate his his 121 OPS+. Cain's bat is still a work in progress but it doesn't take a leap of imagination to suggest he's capable of being league average. Couple that with above average defense and he has the potential to be a valuable player for Kansas City.