Detroit Tigers looking to fill a starting spot with Anibal Sanchez – MLB Update
Detroit Tigers’ had some of the best pitchers in their pitching rotation last season. Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez, Max Scherzer and Doug Fister combined to form a dangerous pitching combination for the Tigers in 2012.
However, right after the World Series ended, Sanchez became a free agent. He was originally acquired from the Miami Marlins and posted some impressive numbers in his first year with the Tigers. Using his fastballs and sliders, he created all sorts of problems
for the hitters in the American League.
His ability to up his game play under pressure is what separates him from his competitors. What he did to the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics in the playoffs will be remembered for a long time. His efforts in the second half of the season have
definitely earned him more respect. Sanchez is now in an excellent position to demand $13-$15 million a year long term contract.
According to sources, a number of Major League Baseball teams are looking to acquire Sanchez’s services these days. However, none of those teams will be more serious than the Tigers. General Manager Dave Dombrowski and Manager Jim Leyland have already expressed
a strong desire to retain one of the top available starters on the market.
"You would probably look to add somebody else as a sixth guy to bring into camp or somebody to protect us," Dombrowski said in a press conference.
"I told him, ‘This is your chance, chase it, be happy. I want you back. I’m not going to call you and bug you,'" Leyland told reporters.
"I said, 'I’m not going to be calling you every other week to be saying, hey are you thinking about signing with us. I’m telling you right now to your face, I really want you back. But this is your time. Go take advantage of it,'" he further added.
Leyland is convinced the Tigers have an excellent chance to bring back Sanchez, who feels very comfortable in Detroit. However, if Sanchez decides to sign a deal with any other team, the Tigers will not mind filling the number four and number five spots
with Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly.
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