For a player who needed nearly five seasons to get out of the minors, Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Freddy Sanchez’s career is accelerating at a relatively late stage. In only two years, Sanchez has gone from being a utility infielder to an NL batting champion and a two-time All-Star. He was rewarded Tuesday with an $11 million, two-year contract that includes a 2010 option that could make the deal worth $18.4 million. The contract allowed the 2006 NL batting champion to avoid an arbitration hearing. Sanchez, who made $2.75 million last season, sought $4.9 million and the team offered $4.1 million.
The 30-year-old Sanchez didn’t become an everyday player until a month into the 2006 season but went on to win the batting title with a .344 average. It was the highest average by a Pirates regular since Roberto Clemente hit .345 in 1969. Sanchez also drove in 85 runs despite hitting only six homers.
Sanchez is the first Pirates infielder to hit .300 in consecutive seasons since third baseman Bill Madlock in 1982-83, based on a minimum of 450 plate appearances. Sanchez was a third baseman in 2006.