A Win in Pitt?

The Giants traded former 1st round pick Tim Alderson to the Pirates for Freddy Sanchez.

Pirates Side: I love this deal for the Pirates. Alderson is a 6-7, 215 pound righty who was the 22nd overall pick in the 2007 draft. Alderson was another high school righty who pitched a level ahead of Bumgarner last year and is currently in AA at the age of (get ready for this) 20. Alderson was 6-1, 3.47 at AA Connecticut with 14 walks and 46 strikeouts in 72 innings. He is a great prospect and one who projects to add at least a little more velocity to his fastball. Word is he has lost some stuff on his pitches this season, but he is just 20 and in AA, so he should be fine to be at least a # 4 starter in the majors.

Giants Side: Black hole, filled. Sanchez is a perfect fit for those gaps at their home field and should be able to maintain his current level of production with his gap to gap line drive approach. He slips right into their # 2 hole in the order, though the Giants still need a power bat at one of their outfield corners.

Overall: Classic need vs. quality trade, I am going to side with the Pirates on this one, as I am about a big a fan of Alderson as you can be without seeing him pitch before.