Alex Sanchez and the Giants. It's like two lovers meeting at the methadone clinic. A story filled with destiny, star-crossed paths, and a whole lot of scabs.
Here's the time to bust out the risk vs. reward decoder ring. At the time of the move, there didn't seem to be much of a risk, but there certainly didn't seem to be much of a reward. Sifting through it all, there was some light at the end of the tunnel if Sanchez kept his average up. Maybe he'd bring a grade-C prospect back at the end of July. On a team spiraling downward, it couldn't hurt to pick the éclair off the top of the garbage.
After yesterday, though, the Giants have to privately be kicking themselves just a little. The errors are one thing. No one had any illusions about Sanchez's defense. He has always played defense like a hungover Marvin Benard wearing high-heels. The first error was ugly, but the second dropped ball did seem to be Jason Ellison's responsibility. You couldn't see if Ellison was calling off Sanchez, which is his right as the centerfielder, but you could definitely see Sanchez waving his arms and calling Ellison off. It was an easier play for Sanchez, to be sure.
But to have been with a team for two days, and publicly flog a teammate in the press? Were I running the team, he wouldn't have to unpack his carry-on. And I'd send Barney Nugent up to his hotel room to make sure he didn't take any towels or shampoo. This is a guy who was discarded by the Brewers, Tigers, and Devil Rays, though that doesn't make the move automatically suspect. Deivi Cruz sure worked out alright.
What makes it suspect is that these teams could afford to work with a physically talented project, but got tired of the personality that came along with it. In what universe could the Devil Rays not use a .300-hitting outfielder, even if the poor defense makes him a better bench option? That isn't a question you would immediately think of when scouring the waiver-wire, and it shouldn't make or break the deal if the answer isn't obvious. But when a fellow has been with a team for two days and has already committed second-degree jackassery, you wish the red flags had been given more credit.