10 biggest MLB pitching disappointments of 2015

No. 3 Anibal Sanchez

In 2012, the Detroit Tigers gave Anibal Sanchez a 5-year, $80 million contract. Detroit had acquired Sanchez from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline the previous season, and for the first two years of his new deal, the versatile pitcher had played up to the level of his lofty salary.

That has not been the case in 2015, though.

Sanchez is having his worst season on the mound since 2008, when he struggled to find his groove upon returning from a torn labrum. After six years of posting sub-4.00 ERAs, his earned run average has swelled to 4.99. In addition, he leads the majors in home runs allowed with 29.

The 31-year old righty was placed on the disabled list at the end of August due to a strain in his rotator cuff, and it is doubtful that he will return this season. The Tigers would be wise to not rush him back on field and risk further injury, being that they owe him a total of $48 million over the next three years.

Sanchez may not be having the worst season among MLB starting pitchers, but the poor performance from player that had been so reliable in recent years makes him one of the biggest disappointments of 2015.

Next: No. 2 Jeff Samardzija