There are six teams that are showing interest in free agent right-hander Anibal Sanchez, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and a "mystery team now joining" the mix, reports Bob Nightengale of USA Today:
No one is drawing more interest than starter Anibal Sanchez , with a mystery team now joining the #Dodgers,#Angels,#Tigers,#RedSox,#Royals.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 4, 2012
While Zack Greinke is situated atop the free agent pitching market, Sanchez is only a notch below in the second-tier of arms. Some teams view the right-hander as a difference maker and top-of-the-rotation starter.
For his part, Sanchez agrees; as he’s reportedly seeking a six-year, $90 million contract this offseason.
Sanchez spent the 2012 season with the Miami Marlins and Detroit Tigers. When he was dealt to Detroit the thought was that he would be a rental for the team’s postseason push. However, the Tigers are one of the teams in pursuit of the right-hander.
The Dodgers are seemingly in on everyone with a pulse, while the Angels, Red Sox and Royals have all been tied to pitching this offseason. Kansas City, specifically, is seeking someone they would consider to be a No. 1 starter, and Sanchez may be as close as they can get this winter.
Last season with the Marlins and Tigers Sanchez maintained an ERA of 3.86. Over seven years at the major league level the 28-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.75 with 7.6 strikeouts and 3.3 walks per nine innings.