Detroit Tigers should replace Anibal Sanchez in rotation for time being

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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.

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