Manager Jim Leyland does not mind six starting pitchers – MLB Detroit Tigers News
The fans were absolutely delighted when the Detroit Tigers signed free agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez for a five year $80 million deal. Among those cheered by news was Manager Jim Leyland who is happy with the fact the Tigers have six starting pitchers
in their rotation.
Sanchez had been awaiting Tigers’ decision in the free agency. Many other Major League Baseball teams including the Chicago Cubs, the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels had also shown interest in him but according to sources Sanchez wanted to return to
Detroit. He reintroduced himself in a press conference at Comerica Park on Monday afternoon.
"That's OK," Leyland said during a Monday phone conversation. "That doesn't hurt anything. Pitching is a commodity. A very valuable commodity."
"To be honest, I didn't think we were going to get him," Leyland said of a right-handed pitcher who moved to Detroit from Marlins as part of a mid season trade. "But, I don't know, nothing surprises me with Mr. Ilitch (Mike, Tigers owner). He's been awful
good to us. It doesn't really surprise me in that sense. But I didn't think we could get him the way things were going."
Leyland acknowledged that he was surprised to have Sanchez back in Detroit as he did not expect the General Manager Dave Dombrowski to make such a huge financial commitment.
Sanchez posted some wonderful stats last season, finishing with an excellent 3.74 ERA in 12 starts for the Tigers. He raised his game play to a very high level in his three post season starts with 1.77 ERA in three starts.
In addition to being a match winning player, Sanchez is a reliable and a durable pitcher. At 28 years old, he is at the peek of his career. If the Tigers can afford to sign him on a lucrative contract, nobody else should have problems with it.
Sanchez will be joining the Tigers’ rotation that already stars ace Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer and Drew Smyly. It will be interesting to see if he can carve a Hall of Famer of career for himself in the upcoming seasons.
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