Detroit Tigers hypothetical trade idea: Anibal Sanchez for Curtis Granderson

Detroit Tigers fans have seen reliever Anibal Sanchez struggle so far this season. A change of scenery could hypothetically benefit the pitcher, and the New York Mets are a conceivable trade partner.

Detroit Tigers pitcher Anibal Sanchez hasn’t had the best start to 2017.

The veteran has thrown 18.2 innings, surrendering 33 this, 26 runs (21 earned), nine home runs and nine walks.

Sanchez’ 20 strikeouts are somewhat encouraging, but the pitcher’s other numbers haven’t been easy on the eyes.

All told, the ex-Marlin owns a 10.13 ERA, a 8.61 FIP, a 5.24 xFIP and a 4.24 SIERA. He’s also logged a 0.6 WAR to go along with a bloated 2.250 WHIP.

Additionally, Sanchez has surrendered 15.9 hits, 4.3 walks and 4.3 home runs per nine innings.

Translation: not great.

Generally, teams can hide a struggling arm in the bullpen. However, Detroit has two of those in Sanchez and Francisco Rodriguez.

Hypothetically speaking, if the team had to choose one, it might be Rodriguez.

While Sanchez returning to the rotation and pitching somewhat effectively would be a positive, the reality is that Detroit has more starting depth than closing depth.

Chad Bell, Warwick Saupold, Buck Farmer and William Cuevas could all step into the back of the rotation if need be.

Meanwhile, Detroit’s only closing options outside of Rodriguez and Justin Wilson are Bruce Rondon and Joe Jimenez.

Rondon struggled early in the year with Tigers, while Jimenez was a mixed bag in his first handful of Major League appearances. Both are currently in Toledo, with Jimenez currently on the disabled list.

The Hypothetical Trade

In continuing with the hypothetical theme, if the Detroit Tigers trade Anibal Sanchez, they probably aren’t going to get too much out of him in terms of a prospect return given his struggles.

Considering that, a change of scenery trade could make sense.

If that is the case, one team stands out as a conceivable fit.

That would be the New York Mets.

New York starting pitchers currently rank 20^th in WAR. Mets starters have also combined for the 25^th-fewest innings thrown.

To make matters worse for the franchise, the National League East team is currently without Noah Syndergaard, Steven Matz and Seth Lugo, as the trio are all on the disabled list.

The team is also using Matt Harvey in the rotation. The 28-year-old currently owns a -0.5 WAR and a 6.41 FIP. He’s also been tagged for 2.18 home runs per nine innings.

As it would happen, New York’s one area where the team could trade from is an area of need for the Tigers.

The Mets have, to put it plainly, an outfield log jam. Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto and Juan Lagares man the outfield, while Matt Reynolds has also seen time in left field.

Elsewhere, New York will welcome former Tiger Yoenis Cespedes back from the disabled list at some point.

Detroit frankly isn’t going to be able to net Bruce or Lagares in a deal for Sanchez. However, one player in the Mets’ outfield who could benefit from a change of scenery—similar to Anibal—is old friend Curtis Granderson.