Detroit Tigers: Significance of Potential Anibal Sanchez Bounce-Back

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Aug 28, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) takes the ball to relieve starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez struggled in 2016. However, if the veteran can turn things around for the coming season, the Tigers could stand to benefit greatly.

Detroit Tigers fans saw Anibal Sanchez have a rough 2016 season on the mound.

The starting pitcher, who previously led the American League in ERA and FIP back in 2013, saw his ERA balloon to 5.87 last season.

What’s more, his FIP finished at an unsightly 5.06.

Perhaps the main reason for those numbers was the uptick in hits, walks and home runs allowed by the former Marlin.

Sanchez allowed 10 hits per nine innings in 2016, up from 8.7 the year before.

Additionally, his home runs allowed rate increased from 1.7 to 1.8. All told, the pitcher allowed 30 home runs in 153.1 frames.

Last but not least are the walks. Sanchez was tagged for 3.1 free passes per nine innings, his highest rate since 2010.

However, there were a few bright spots to be had.

The 32-year-old showed flashes of his old form at multiple points in 2016.

These included a four-start stretch in July when Sanchez logged a 3.12 ERA in 26 innings. He also struck out 27 over the same span, including two games of 10 punch outs.

Just a few weeks later the veteran fired off seven shutout innings against the Royals, allowing just one hit and a pair of walks while striking out eight.

If he can produce at a similar rate, or at least pitch like he did in 2014 when the starter posted a 3.43 ERA, a 1.095 WHIP and 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings, the Detroit Tigers will stand to benefit.

Here’s why.

Jul 10, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) throws a pitch during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

Added Rotation Depth

With the news that both Drew VerHagen and Buck Farmer will see time as starters in Spring Training, the Detroit Tigers suddenly have added rotation depth.

However, it isn’t the most dependable unit.

VerHagen and Farmer have both showed well as starters at the Triple-A level and as relievers in the Majors.

However, neither have much experience as Major League starters with just eight combined games started between them.

There’s also Myles Jaye and Warwick Saupold. Both show promise.

However, Jaye has yet to make his big league debut. Meanwhile Saupold has thrown just 9.2 frames in the Majors.

In addition to Sanchez, there’s Mike Pelfrey.

The former first-round pick also struggled last season, with a 5.15 FIP and a 1.731 WHIP. Pelfrey only struck out 4.2 batters per nine frames while allowing 12.1 this and 3.5 walks per nine innings.

In fact, of pitchers with at least 110 innings last season, the 33-year-old had the lowest strikeout per nine inning rate and the seventh-highest xFIP.

Having Sanchez throwing quality innings again would significantly strengthen Detroit’s depth, giving team a dependable option.

Should the Tigers feel a need to limit the innings of Michael Fulmer, Daniel Norris and Matt Boyd, the veteran could step and make spot starts.

Jul 19, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez (19) wave to the fans as he walks off the field after being relieved in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Increased Trade Value

According to Spotrac, Anibal Sanchez will make $16 million next season.

Per the same website, the pitcher has an option on his contract for 2018 that would also pay him $16 million. However, he can be bought out for $5 million prior to 2018.

Considering Sanchez’ struggles in 2016, it won’t be easy to find a taker for that kind of money.

Should the starter rebound somewhat, Detroit could eventually trade him to get out of some of his salary while also netting some sort of return.

A similar type of trade happened during the offseason, as the Boston Red Sox dealt Clay Buchholz.

In late December, the Red Sox sent Clay Buchholz to the Philadelphia Phillies for second base prospect Josh Tobias.

Per Spotrac, Buchholz is slated to make $13.5 million next season.

Around the time of the trade, The Philly Inquirer’s Matt Gelb tweeted details of the trade, “Josh Tobias is going to Red Sox, according to a source. No cash involved; Phillies assume Buchholz’ 1-year, $13.5 million deal.”

Buchholz, who’s career WAR of 14.3 pales in comparison to Sanchez’ 24.7 number, was dealt despite posting a 5.09 SIERA and a 5.32 xFIP in 139.1 innings last year.

In a perfect world, the Detroit Tigers will be able to find a similar taker for Anibal Sanchez’ contract while also seeing a young pitcher like Jaye or VerHagen fill in as a reliable depth piece.

Next: The 2017 Tigers Have What It Takes to Make a World Series Run

With the team looking to become more financially sustainable long-term, getting the starter’s salary off the books would be significant.

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Detroit Tigers: Significance of a Potential Anibal Sanchez Bounce-Back

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez struggled in 2016. However, if the veteran can turn things around for the coming season, the Tigers could stand to benefit greatly.

Added Rotation Depth

Increased Trade Value

Schedule