SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants didn’t have to pay a steep price to acquire a proven infielder on Monday. But that wasn’t the case Wednesday.

Leaving no ambiguity about their intention to chase a playoff spot this season, the Giants dealt heralded minor league pitcher Tim Alderson — seen by many as a cornerstone of the team’s future starting rotation — to the Pittsburgh Pirates for All-Star second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
The deal completes the revamping of the right side of the Giants’ infield, as the team picked up Ryan Garko from Cleveland for Single-A pitcher Scott Barnes earlier this week.
“We gave up a good prospect,” Giants general manager Brian Sabean said of Alderson. “That’s the price of doing business.”
After Wednesday’s 1-0, 10-inning win by the Giants over the Pirates at AT&T Park, Sanchez, who did not play in the series, made the short walk from the visitor’s clubhouse to the Giants clubhouse to meet a few of his new teammates and members of the team’s front office. He also put on a new No. 28 home jersey.
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a little crazy, a little hectic,” said Sanchez, who had been rumored to be on his way out of Pittsburgh for nearly the entire month of July. “But I’m a firm believer in things happening for a reason.”
Several media outlets reported the framework for a deal between the Giants and Pirates was in place Monday night, but the Giants became wary of Sanchez’s sore left knee.
Giants doctor Ken Akizuki examined Sanchez on Monday and looked at him again Wednesday. The knee had shown noticeable improvement in that time, which paved the way for the deal to be completed.
It’s unclear if Sanchez will be in the lineup for tonight’s game with the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, or if his knee will need more rest.
“It’s tough coming to a new team and not knowing if you’re going to play,” Sanchez said. “That’s the last thing you want, is come to a new team and be in the trainer’s room. I want to get there as soon as I can, but I also want to be smart about it.”
A little less than two weeks ago, Sanchez, 31, rejected the Pirates’ two-year contract offer worth roughly $10 million. The new deal also would have voided the $8 million option for 2010 he is due once he reaches 600 plate appearances this season. So far, he has 382 plate appearances.
It was also reported Wednesday that Sanchez made a counteroffer of $20 million over three years to stay with Pittsburgh, but that proposed deal was rejected.
As it is, the Giants can keep Sanchez at least until the end of the 2010 season. If he fails to reach 600 plate appearances this year, his contract for next year becomes a team option.
“He’s not a rental player,” said Giants outfielder Aaron Rowand, who played with Sanchez on the 2007 National League All-Star team. “You guys heard what (Sabean) said. It’s not like he’s going to be here for just a couple months. He’s going to be part of the future.”
Sanchez has played in 86 games this season and was hitting .296 with six home runs and 34 RBI. With a .776 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage), he could represent a boost to the Giants’ production at second base, even though he is 11-for-57 (.193) this month. Coming into Wednesday’s game, San Francisco second basemen had combined for a .585 OPS, second-worst in the major leagues.
“The only thing I can give is playing the game the right way,” Sanchez said. “I’m not going to say that I’m going to come in here and be a savior or hit .300 or .400 or whatever. The only thing I can give is playing the game the right way.”
Sabean wouldn’t rule out making another trade before Friday’s nonwaiver deadline, but he sounded like someone who was happy to now leave the rest of the season in the hands of the players.
“We’re relieved that this has come to fruition,” Sabean said as he sat beside Sanchez, a three-time All-Star and former National League batting champ. “There’s still time on the clock. I can’t tell you there’s another move to be made. But we’ll do the work at hand and see what happens.”
Alderson, a 20-year-old right-hander, was 6-1 with a 3.47 ERA with Double-A Connecticut this year and ranked as the team’s fourth-best prospect by Baseball America. He and fellow pitching prospect Madison Bumgarner are believed to be relatively close to making their major league debuts.