Pitcher Anibal Sanchez won his arbitration case against the Marlins, tweets his agent Gene Mato. In what Mato deems a "historic win for the players going forward," Sanchez received an $8MM salary for 2012 instead of the team's $6.9MM figure. Mato pulled off the win despite not being able to use Shaun Marcum's $7.725MM settlement, as Marcum's deal was strategically not announced until Sanchez's hearing concluded. Sanchez's salary represents the largest ever for a starting pitcher who went to a hearing.
Three hearings have occurred so far this year, but this is the first win for a player. The Marlins appear headed for another hearing with Emilio Bonifacio, though the sides are only $250K apart.
Sanchez, 28 in a few weeks, has a 3.61 ERA in 64 starts for the Marlins over the last two seasons. He appears primed for a big free agent payday after the 2012 season.
Anibal deserves every penny of that 8m$. He has performed WAY beyond his salary for the past two years. Hopefully this encourages the Marlins to try and lock him up before he has another great year, and the price goes up more.
last half of last year was a bit rough. he has outperformed his salary, but i’d like to see some more consistency.
Presumably his last arbitration hearing before he hits free agency at the end of the year. With a half way decent 2012 he’s probably looking at, at least a 5 year possibly 6 year deal in the neighborhood of about $15MM per +/-.
As the free agent class of 2013 goes right now he will probably be the 4th best pitcher available: Hamels, Cain, Greinke then Anibal.
I think Anibal and Greinke are pretty comparable. Greinke has his Cy Season in 2009, but the last two seasons, Anibal has the edge IMO…and his stats are getting better every year. He is a legit #2 starter i believe. Watch out for a big year from him this year with FA around the corner…
Anibal deserves it. He was the pitcher who was consistent throughout the season last year. JJ went down early, Ricky went through a slump trying to compensate, Vasquez only came back during the second half, and lets not even talk about the fifth starter(s). Anibal was consistently good and he earned the pay raise.
Agree.. They messed up trying to nickel and dime over that 1m, rather than trying to lock him up LT.. Not sure they can/will do anything now before he hits the market, but i would take him over Grienke regardless.
Good win for the players but it still doesnt knock off Corey Hart’s win from 2010 as the best Player Win. Hart played in 115 G’s and posted a .260/.335/.418 with 12HR’s and still received his offer of $4.8m as 2nd time eligible (raise from $3.25). Hart posted career worst’s in essentially every hitting category that year.