Giants Trade Jonathan Sanchez to Royals for Melky Cabrera

The San Francisco Giants have traded Jonathan Sanchez and Minor League pitcher Ryan Verdugo to the Kansas City Royals in return for outfielder Melky Cabrera.

This weekend, rumors surfaced stating that the Giants were interested in trading from their surplus of pitching in order to improve offensively.  Some around the game questioned if the team would look into dealing one of their top arms, possibly even Tim Lincecum, but instead it was reported that the club was willing to move Sanchez.

Kansas City, on the other hand, had been looking to bolster their rotation with a veteran presence.  While Melky Cabrera had his best season in 2011, the Royals have Lorenzo Cain, a solid prospect who looks ready to take over in center for the club.  It was rumored that Kansas City was shopping Cabrera this summer, and now, just days into the offseason, the club was able to cash Cabrera in for Sanchez and a Minor League arm.

Verdugo, the Minor League arm, maintained an ERA of 4.35 in 2011 over his 25 starts and 130 1/3 innings pitched.  The 24-year-old spent the full season with San Francisco’s Double-A affiliate where he held a BB/9 of 4.4 while striking out over a batter per inning.

Be sure to check in later for more in-depth analysis of this transaction.

For more on the Giants and Royals, be sure to check out Frisco Fastball and Kings of Kauffman.