Re-signing Anibal Sanchez does not seem to be in Detroit Tigers’ plan – MLB News
In a press conference, Detroit Tigers General Manager and President Dave Dombrowski has said that finding a good corner outfielder was his top priority this offseason. The Tigers took a big step towards solving their outfield problems last week as they signed
on the former Los Angeles Angels’ outfielder Torii Hunter for a two year $26 million contract.
Asked if Martinez will be fit to make a comeback next season, Dombrowski said he expects Martinez to be ready for Spring Training session.
"He's supposed to be fine coming into spring training, so that's what our plans are," Dombrowski said of Martinez.
However, it is unclear if the Tigers will make any attempts to retain the starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez. The right hander had a memorable time on the mound last season. His post-season performances, in particular, helped the Tigers win the American League
Championship Series.
It will not be wrong to say that without Sanchez, the Tigers would not have been able to make it to the World Series. Sanchez showed great composure in pressure playoff games against the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. He was acquired in a trade
from Miami Marlins as he finished the regular season with a 4-6 record and a 3.74 ERA.
"We'll see where other things take us," Dombrowski said. "If we end up with this major move (Hunter) being our major move of the winter, I would be very happy."
However, he ended the season on an extremely strong note going 1-2 with a staggering 1.77 ERA in three post-season starts. He lost 2-0 to the Athletics in the American League Division Series, thanks to a poor offensive show by the Tigers. He then lost 2-0
to the Giants in Game 3 of the World Series after the batting line-up again failed to trouble the scorers.
"We've said all along if Porcello and Smyly are in the rotation, we'd be fine with that," Dombrowski said. "We'll see what happens."
As of now, it seems the Tigers are not interested in retaining Sanchez. If that is the case, the pitching rotation is likely to have Justin Verlander, Drew Smyly, Rick Porcello, Max Scherzer and Doug Fister.
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