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The Detroit Tigers have reportedly won the sweepstakes for free-agent right-hander Anibal Sanchez, signing the 28-year-old to a five-year, $80 million contract, Sanchez's agent has told Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms Nightengale's report.
The bidding for the right-hander came down to the Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, but in the end Detroit was able to up their offer just enough to bring Sanchez back to Motown. The Cubs reportedly raised their offer to $77.5 million over five years this morning, but then dropped out of the race when the Tigers tacked on an extra $2.5 million.
The five-year, $80 million contract is a massive increase from the Tigers' original offer to the right-hander of four years and $48 million, and may be an indication of how Zack Greinke's record deal with the Dodgers will affect the starting pitcher market going forward.
The right-hander owns a 3.75 ERA and a 7.6 K/9 rate in seven big-league seasons, all but the last half season of which were spent in the Marlins' organization.
