Tony Sanchez Joining Pittsburgh Pirates

Tony Sanchez is headed to Anaheim to join the Pittsburgh Pirates against the Los Angeles Angels tonight.  The news was tweeted by Dan Zangrilli.

It’s about time.

Russell Martin has done an admirable job behind the dish for the Bucs this season.  But as we have noted on numerous occassions, Michael McKenry just doesn’t cut it as a backup.  Nothing against McKenry, but he’s the type of player the Pirates had on the roster for years.  He doesn’t fit any longer.  Simple.

There is no question McKenry is beloved in Pittsburgh because of what he does on and off the field and his love for The Lord, Jesus Christ.

But the arm.

The strikeouts at the plate.

It just doesn’t work on this roster any longer.  The Fort can’t control the running game.  Liability.  It’s that simple.

Tony Sanchez has worked very hard to get his promotion to the bigs.  Buckle up.  It’s going to fun to watch.  With perhaps one exception.

GM Neal Huntington mentioned on our RumBunter Podcast that Sanchez was working on his throwing technique at the Triple-A level.  Huntington said that there were some delivery techniques that Tony Two Bags was actually putting into place during game situations.  Sanchez could spend some time under the steely glare of bench coach Jeff Banister while he is with the club too.  It sounded like Huntington thought many of us were making too much of the throwing ‘yips,’ even dismissing using that word.

Sanchez could serve as the DH (he did post a .937 OPS at Indy) and as a bat off the bench against Angels left-handed pitching.  Sanchez could catch and fill up the lineup with right-handed bats allowing Russell Martin to play right or serve as the DH.  All in all, despite whatever the scenarios in which Sanchez is used, this feels like an offensive move by the Buccos.

It’s time for Sanchez to rip a few doubles in the shadow of the Hollywood sign this weekend.  Damn, this should be fun.