Fansided

MLB 2017: One X-factor for each team

By Brad Berreman

September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport
September 7, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig (66) runs after he hits a solo home run in the sixth inning against Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sport /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 30
Next
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers: SP Anibal Sanchez

Sanchez is trending the wrong direction, with a 4.99 and a 5.87 ERA over the last two seasons while allowing a combined total of 59 home runs. He split last season between the Tigers’ starting rotation and bullpen (35 appearances-26 starts), and after some early offseason trade rumors Sanchez is left to compete with Mike Pelfrey for a spot in Detroit’s rotation this spring.

This is the final year of Sanchez’s contract, with a $5 million buyout for 2018. If he can somehow show a glimpse of his 2013-2014 form (2.92 ERA, 8.9 K/9, 2.5 BB/9), the Tigers’ rotation would likely look very formidable and give them a chance to dethrone the Indians in the AL Central. If Sanchez pitches well but the Tigers aren’t in contention, then he could be on the move at the trade deadline.

Sanchez was a very underrated pitcher just a few years ago, with diminished results now as he enters his mid-30s. The last two years compared to 2013 and 2014 show the wide range of possible outcomes here. On a team filled with notable names and still in win-now mode, Sanchez stands out to me as the Tigers’ x-factor for 2017.

Home/MLB