Detroit Tigers should replace Anibal Sanchez in rotation for time being

1 of 3

PHOENIX, AZ – MAY 10: Yasmany Tomas #24 of the Arizona Diamondbacks rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run off of Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers as Jose Iglesias #1 looks on during the seventh inning at Chase Field on May 10, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen Anibal Sanchez pitch at the most consistent level as of late. The team should look into replacing him in the rotation.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez by and large struggled in the early part of the season.

With Justin Verlander, Michael Fulmer, Jordan Zimmermann, Daniel Norris and Matthew Boyd occupying all five spots in the rotation, Sanchez worked as a long reliever.

Some of his outing were positive.

He struck out two while allowing a hit in 2.1 innings against Texas on May 19, and put up zeros against Cleveland, Minnesota and Boston on three other occasions.

However, as a whole, Sanchez’ body of work in the early part of 2017 left much to be desired.

Despite 22 strikeouts in 21 innings, the veteran was tagged for 34 hits, 26 runs (21 earned), nine home runs and nine walks.

That spits out to a 9.00 ERA, a 7.90 FIP, a 5.30 xFIP and 3.86 walks and home runs allowed per nine innings.

So yeah, not the best.

Things seemed to be turning around though after the starter went down to Toledo to work things out.

Sanchez returned to the Majors in late June and made a noticeable impact.

Armed with his butterfly changeup, the right-hander looked more like the pitcher who won an ERA title in 2013.

In his first four starts since making the return from Toledo, the former Marlin held opposing batters to a .195 batting average while pitching to a 3.09 ERA.

He also struck out 22 in 23.1 innings while allowing just eight earned runs, four walks and a singular home run.

The lack of home runs allowed was particularly encouraging considering Sanchez gave up the most long balls in baseball in 2015.

Since the beginning of that campaign, the starter has allowed 78 in 80 appearances.

For that stretch, Sanchez gave the Detroit Tigers quality outings, while also becoming a potential trade chip.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 06: Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez #19 of the Detroit Tigers throws a pitch to a Baltimore Orioles batter in the first inning during a game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 6, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Potential trade chip

Unloading Sanchez’ $16 million (per Spotrac) would certainly have helped the Tigers from a payroll standpoint, and it would have opened up more starting opportunities for Norris and Boyd.

With the July 31^st non-waiver trade deadline come and gone, Sanchez remains in the Motor City.

He could conceivably be moved in August considering his salary would help him clear waivers.

However, Sanchez’ recent performers certainly haven’t helped his trade value—or the Tigers for that matter.

In 25 innings (five starts) since July 16, Sanchez owns a 7.92 ERA, a 7.42 FIP and a 5.38 xFIP.

That includes holding the Twins to three runs in 5.2 innings on July 21 and limiting the Yankees to a pair of runs at Yankee Stadium on August 1.

Sanchez hit a low in his last start against the Baltimore Orioles.

Facing 20 batters, the right-hander allowed 10 hits, eight earned runs, five home runs and a walk in just three innings.

It marked the second time in his last three starts that he failed to reach the four-inning plateau.

Playoffs?

Despite a 51-61 record and a four-game losing streak, the Detroit Tigers will enter play on Wednesday just six games back of the second Wild Card spot.

They certainly have their work cut out for them, but they are by no means out of it.

At this point, it behooves the Tigers to be competitive, and sending Sanchez out every fifth day hasn’t exactly yielded the best results as of late.

BALTIMORE, MD – AUGUST 05: Drew VerHagen #54 of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 5, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Potential replacements

As it stands, Detroit could go in a number of different directions.

The most obvious choice in the long run is to keep Drew VerHagen in the rotation.

Currently filling in for Michael Fulmer, who is on the disabled list, VerHagen could simply stay in a starting role in place of Sanchez when Fulmer returns.

VerHagen allowed just four hits, two runs, two walks and a home run in five innings against the O’s, while striking out three.

The Tigers could also turn to Buck Farmer to immediately replace Sanchez.

Farmer is already on the 40-man roster and is on a run of fine form with Triple-A Toledo.

He allowed just three earned runs combined in his last three starts (24.1 innings) while striking out 16 batters.

Warwick Saupold, who turned in a 2.90 ERA in 40.1 innings as a starter with Toledo and has worked in long relief in the Majors this season, could also be a fit.

Another potential fit is Chad Bell.

The southpaw has a higher strikeout percentage (19.4%) in the Majors than VerHagen and Saupold this season. However, he’s also sporting a 5.01 FIP in 35.1 frames.

Next: Replacing Cameron Maybin with Mikie Mahtook looks shrewd

Whoever the ideal pick would be for the Detroit Tigers, the team needs to make a move in the rotation in order to keep the team competitive down the stretch.

Home / Detroit Tigers News

Detroit Tigers fans haven’t seen Anibal Sanchez pitch at the most consistent level as of late. The team should look into replacing him in the rotation.

Potential trade chip

Playoffs?

Potential replacements

Schedule