Why exactly would the money owed to Sanchez be a sticking point?  The team has already said that they're under budget for this year and can take on salary.

Next year looks even better... Winn, Roberts, Johnson, Lowry and probably Molina come off the books.  Sure, they'll have to pay Lincecum, but likely less than Winn + Roberts=14 mil.

So why dont they just eat money and keep our prospects? 

Are there really appealing FA's we'd like to add for 2010?  It looks like a weak crop to me.  I'd rather just pay Sanchez for one year than whatever kind of horrific sighing the G's FO can come up with.