Cubs reportedly in talks with free-agent Anibal Sanchez – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs fan seem to be in premature celebration, in case they have really celebrated, as the rumours kept swirling that the club had signed free-agent starter Anibal Sanchez. Pitcher’s agent Gene Mato said on Thursday that he has taken the proposals
to the Detroit Tigers to see if they would match the terms, or beat them.
The deal was said to be of $75 million for five years – one of the biggest and boldest Theo Epstein – Cubs’ president of baseball operations, would have made ever since assuming the charge. With no confirmation in sight, the Cubs have not given up yet, so
it appears.
In the recent weeks, the Cubs have brought in seven free agents and handing out one-year deals to everyone apart from Kyuji Fujikawa whom the Cubs signed for two years.
On the other hand, behind Zack Greinke, who was earlier signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers for a six-year $147 million deal, Sanchez is the second most sought-after pitcher in the market right now.
If he is really brought in, the Cubs will have a strong combination at their disposal in the form of threesome Jeff Samrdzija, Matt Garza and – of course, Sanchez.
Sanchez has got a record of 48-51 in his MLB career with 3.75 ERA. His excellent performance during the postseason with the Detroit Tigers in the postseason overshadowed the average performance with the Miami Marlins.
A team which is in the (re)building phase, arrival of Sanchez will be precursor of a new change, ushering in a different period for the Cubs after a disappointing season. Rotation forms an important component of the Cubs’ strategy to strengthen itself.
Signing the Scott Feldman and Scott Baker, and other relievers, is to be seen in this light. But those in front office look at it with an altogether different perspective.
"Given the way the market has acted, we feel it was a wise move to get those guys done," general manager Jed Hoyer said last Friday. "And we'll still (try to add starting pitching), but with the ability to be a little more discerning now."
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