MLB Trade Deadline 2011: What Jonathan Sanchez Is Really Worth

About a seven weeks ago the rumors about the Giants speaking to the Mets about Jose Reyes began.

The key name that was discussed in trade talks was Jonathan Sanchez.

But how much is he actually worth? To answer that question, you have to answer a question yourself.

If you were another team, what would you give up to get Jonathan Sanchez?

Reyes for Sanchez?

I'd want a lot more than just Sanchez.

Remember when the Giants were debating trading for Corey Hart last year?

Sanchez was the key to the trade. If I'm the Brewers and that trade were offered now, I wouldn't want it.

The pitchers they have are much more consistent than Sanchez.

Is Sanchez worth more than Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar? I don't think so.

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The 28-year old pitcher will not get much better than he is now and that is mostly due to his inability to focus when he gets into trouble.

Sanchez has frustrated management and fans alike with his control problems that continually get him into trouble.

The 2010 season was the best of Sanchez's career. He held the team's lowest ERA, had a career low WHIP (1.23) but led the league in walks.

But even in that season, Giants manager Bruce Bochy held his hand through all of his starts.

Bochy took Sanchez out of the game at the first sign of trouble so that his ERA and psyche would be protected.

This fragility was on full display in Game 6 of the NLCS when Sanchez only lasted into the third inning and got into a war of words with Phillies second baseman Chase Utley after he hit Utley with an errant pitch.