Detroit Tigers still interest in free agent Anibal Sanchez – MLB News
After signing some of the finest hitters and pitchers in 2012, the Detroit Tigers lived up to the expectations and made it to the World Series finals. Tigers’ pitching rotation, in particular, played a big part in their American League East Division winning
campaign.
Ace Justin Verlander continued his heroic form to lead his side into the World Series finals. However, the biggest find of the season for Detroit was starter Anibal Sanchez who displayed some top quality throwing skills to make a name for himself.
As soon as the season ended, Sanchez became a free agent. Although the Tigers wanted to retain him, they could not do so due to the price tag attached to Sanchez. According to sources, the right hander is seeking a long term contract in range $75 million.
“Don’t put too much stock in those comments, even if the reports are ultimately true. Opening bids and agent speak are all part of the negotiating process. Throughout the process, though, one thing has remained constant. The Tigers remain interested in Sanchez,
but they have been unwilling to go up to six years or $ 90 million to keep him,” Patrick OKennedy of Blessyouboys.com said.
“Sanchez was widely considered the second best starting pitcher available on the free agent market this winter, after the Angels’ Zack Greinke,” he added.
Understandably, the Tigers cannot to afford to pay this kind of salary after they acquired slugger Prince Fielder for a record $214 million nine year deal. Third baseman Miguel Cabrera is also among the highest paid baseball players in the game.
A Major League Baseball familiar with the situation confirmed the Tigers have made a four year $48 million offer, which Sanchez’s agent referred to as insulting. Earlier reports suggest that his agent had asked one club for $100 million over seven years.
Even if these reports are true, no team is likely to offer Sanchez such a lucrative contract. It is worth highlighting here that opening bids and agents talk are all part of the negotiation process and the Tigers are still pretty much interested in acquiring
Sanchez’s services for the next season.
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