Jerry Sands: It’s the thought that counts?
Aug 8, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians pinch hitter
(40) rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam during the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Yesterday, there was a mini firestorm on Twitter when the White Sox claimed Jerry Sands off waivers from the Cleveland Indians.
Let’s quell any concerns now. This is not the big outfield signing we’ve all been waiting for.
In isolation this is actually a fairly decent move.
He’s a 6-4, 220 pound outfielder who has the frame to at least take advantage of U.S. Cellular field. He had a discouraging 2015 season in the Bigs with Cleveland, floundering to a .676 OPS and a poor OBP.
He’s always crushed minor league pitching, even at the higher levels. The pop is there, it’s just never translated to the MLB level.
Sands also hits lefties at a level above competence, so he’s valuable as a possible platoon partner for LaRoche.
However, his defense doesn’t pop of the page, so he doesn’t really profile as the best 4th outfielder, much less as a full time option.
Needless to say, if Sands were starting for the White Sox in some capacity in 2016, it would leave fans saying “It’s the thought that counts? Right? Right?”
Next: Doing Nothing: Black Coal