Late in the 2018 season, right-hander Anibal Sanchez said he wasn’t sure whether he’d continue pitching or retire, but the veteran righty now tells Gabe Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he hopes to pitch for multiple seasons beyond the 2018 campaign and would “love” to return to the Braves.
It’s the second straight offseason where a return to the Majors for Sanchez was somewhat up in the air, although the script has flipped substantially over the past 12 months. Whereas last October, the question was one of whether Sanchez had anything left in the tank, this winter it was merely one of whether he had a desire to return for his age-35 season.
Sanchez put to rest any concerns about his ability to succeed against Major League hitters, tossing 136 2/3 innings of 2.83 ERA ball with 8.9 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 0.99 HR/9 and a 45 percent ground-ball after joining the Atlanta organization on a minor league deal late in Spring Training. There was arguably no better bargain pickup last offseason than Sanchez, who played a significant role in helping the upstart Braves secure the NL East title.
Sanchez has never been a flamethrower, and this year’s 90.7 mph average on his fastball was largely in line with the velocity he’d displayed over the final few seasons of an ill-fated five-year deal in Detroit. However, he ramped up the use of his cutter, throwing that at a 23 percent clip, per Fangraphs, while also leaning a bit more on his changeup and relying less on his slider. It’s hard to argue with the results, as Sanchez posted his best swinging-strike rate and chase rate of the past half decade. Opponents seemingly had a difficult time squaring up that more prominently featured cut fastball; Sanchez’s hard-contact rate plummeted by nearly 10 percent, and his line-drive rate dropped from 24.7 percent to 18 percent.
There’s an argument to be made that the Braves have enough pitching depth to get by even without Sanchez and should either target a more definitive front-of-the-rotation upgrade or spend more heavily in the bullpen, in right field or at catcher. But Sanchez was an invaluable depth piece who also played a significant role in the Atlanta clubhouse as a veteran leader on a young pitching staff. He’s spoken to Burns in the past about his desire to work as a coach after his playing days are done, and the young Braves staff gives him ample opportunity to impart some of his experience on younger pitchers.
Sanchez originally inked a non-guaranteed Major League deal with the Twins last spring, but Minnesota cut him loose upon signing right-hander Lance Lynn — a sequence that seemed logical at the time but, in retrospect, certainly didn’t work out in the Twins’ favor. Minnesota’s loss was Atlanta’s gain, but this time around in free agency, Sanchez won’t have to settle for a non-guaranteed deal. At the very least, he seems poised to command a solid salary on a one-year deal, and his success could potentially even make a two-year deal plausible.
I would love to see the Phillies offer him a contract. This might just have been a fluke, but I am quite a big fan of his and he might be of use next season to the club.
Love the guy and wouldn’t mind him back. But the article is right. We have other needs we should address and spend money on. Bullpen, RF, C, and arguably SS… and before all my braves fans start freaking out that I said SS… I said arguably so relax.
I have actually thought about this as well! If…a big if! The Braves did truly want to make a run at Machado he could play 3rd, then move Camargo back to ss! Then Swanson could be available to trade in a package for a frontline starter!
I do like Swanson and I am not against keeping him at all! You always have to give something up to get something in return! You also need to be creative to make some of these things happen! This is being creative!
I think your seriously over valuing swanson. He shouldnt have been a number one pick and the dbacks new management knew it. Thats why he was traded to Atlanta. Worked out good since we got Ender but swanson for a front line starter isnt going to happen. Unless we throw in a front line starter. I hope he turns it around though.
I did not mean Swanson for a front line starter 1 for 1….However he could be part of the package that could acquire the front line starter!
Yes, in hindsight Swansonshiuldnt have been the #1 pick. At the time the D-Backs were thinking their contention window was opening and they were looking for a player who could contribute quickly. Swanson was seen by all the analysts and scouts as being near MLB ready. I am sure if they had a do over they would have chosen Bregman or Benintendi. Swanson has still contributed more than Brendon Rodgers who I remember being the choice of most people to go #1. Rodgers would have been a great choice to eventually trade to Atlanta though. He would have fIt their window nicely being ready for a full time MLB job next year sometime. Could you imagine if they had drafted Bregman though and then traded him for Miller? They would still be burning Stewart in effigy. Bregman was the piece they were missing to be a playoff team this year.
I wouldn’t really consider SS a need at all, since they have 3 SS in the infield with Swanson, Albies, and Camargo
And super utility Charlie Culberson
If we have the green light to go get machado then I’d drop Swanson in a heart beat. That said, ss isn’t our biggest need and money can prob be spent best elsewhere
I don’t know how realistic this is, but has there been any talk of moving Johan to the outfield to open a space for Riley? I’m doubtful we get in on Harper. I’m also doubtful Machado is in Atlanta next year. Personally, I want to see them move some young pitchers for a proven ace. Bumgarner makes sense to me. Then spend money on the bullpen. Kimbrell and Miller would be great.
In my opinion, carmargo in the outfield would be a waste of potential elite talent in the infield. I would rather the braves move Swanson to the outfield and see what happens, move carmargo to ss and put Riley at 3rd. Or Riley in the outfield …
I can’t believe some of the people here… Camargo or Swanson on the outfield? Trade Swanson when his value is at the lowest? Albies, Swanson and Camargo gives us arguably one of the best defensive infields. Swanson has shown improvement at the plate and was doing very well offensively until he got hurt a month into the season. It’s too early to give up on him, specially when his WAR is 1.9 this year, compared to his -0.3 last year. We need to sign a right fielder and a catcher. I would offer Pollock a 4/60 deal and Grandal 5/80 or Ramos 3/42.
Bring him back on a 1 year incentive laden deal with team option for year 2.
someone else will do better than that
I’d scarcely imagine he would get much more, given his recent track record, and of he wants to stay in Atlanta he might stay for that little less. I don’t think he would scoff at that offer given what the state of the market will be and his likely offers.
I can see someone giving him a little bit more money on a one year deal and not have to worry about any options
The guy just pitched his guts out for your team this year. He also saved/rebounded his entire career in the process. And you essentially want to slap him in the face with an incentive laden contract?
2/18 with a 3rd year option at 8M or 2M buy-out.
I hope he stays in the NL, but Angels should have to sign a couple Sanchez’s to deals just to have a rotation that can hold together through the season.
Exactly, the Angels will be chasing several old timers this offseason to try and compete while they have Trout, Simmons, Ohtani and Upton while avoiding any long term deals. I can see them signing CC, Sanchez and/or Happ. Maybe even kick the tires on Lynn, who besides that one injury that cost him 2016 has been a durable innings eater throughout his career. The Angels need durability in their rotation and I can see Eppler hoping his offense can carry him into the playoffs with a solid but unspectacular rotation. Hopefully, they will hire a manager who values strength and conditioning that has a good track record of coddling starters.
Last year, I was hoping the Marlins would bring him back. I thought he could be a good low cost option for them, among other guys, and a good veteran presence. I think it would be cool to see him in the same rotation as Pablo Lopez, as I think Lopez reminds me of him in a lot of ways
I could be wrong, but I think they’re from the same country. But also, they both throw in the low 90’s which stands out since everyone throws high 90’s now. Anibal and Pablo also have a sinker and have a lot of movement on all their pitches. They’re “pitchers” not “throwers.” I think that’s what you’re hinting at in their comparisons. I definitely see the comparisons too.
He is good gamble especially when healthy and should be decent deal for the team that signs him.
He seems like a Giants type of acquisition
Sanchez is a great fit for the 2019 Braves… all those young guns need an example of how to pitch, not just light up the radar gun. Spot the fastball, change speed (love those 68 MPH change ups), throw strikes…
The Angels need arms. Starter, long reliever, sone combo of the two. Could be worth a look.
Not too proud to admit I wanted him when he signed that deal with Detroit. At the time, he looked pretty solid.
At the time, he was pretty solid. He did lead the AL in ERA the first year of that contract.
The catcher they should have kept is Suzuki, not Flowers. Suzuki is the better catcher, better caller, better hitter, and he is still only 35 and hitting well. Suzuki should have started game 4 of the NLDS as well.
How do you know Suzuki wasn’t approached, and Flowers was the one that signed (for very little)?
Could have sworn Flowers was the superior defender/caller behind the plate this year. Suzuki was the better hitter, I’ll give you that, but defense behind the plate is a better value.
Zuk is great, don’t get me wrong, but Flowers is far superior at framing, throwing and calling a game. Offensively Zuk shown more power in the last couple of years, but that had not been the case before. If the Braves can’t land Grandal or Ramos, I would love to bring him back again.
I think you are being a little hard on Sanchez’s contract with Detroit. He averaged around 1.7 WAR per year for the 5 year contract, including one huge year. He had a bad fall off, but the first 2 years of the deal made if far better than “ill-fated.” There have been far worse contracts in recent history.
Agreed. I think Detroit would take the Sanchez contract over the Zimmerman one any day
Corbin that’s the guy this squad should look at, and if AZ will take a chunk of the Salary add Greinke, AZ at crossroad with rebuild in mind – prospects are just that and AZ would like to get some talented kids as they have but few at the moment.
I would like Atl to make a run at Corbin as well. Unfortunately there is reported mutual interest between him and the Yankees! The Yankees can and will outbid the Braves in the process. So being “in” on him would be nice, but actually signing him is not realistic.
I would rather take a chance on Eovaldi at 2/20 than pay 25M per year for Corbin.
I think we should resign A. Sanchez use him as the first arm out of the bullpen and as a spot starter when needed. When he wants to quit pitching turn him into a pitching coach in AAA or MLB
Trust me his best years are behind him. He had 1 great year in Detroit 1 good year & 3 horrid years which were his last three in Detroit which is why Detroit bought him out. He can only pitch in the NL where he can go 5 innings & anyone who signs him to a 2 year deal are idiots. 1 year with incentives only he’s 35 throwing 90. You can find rookies throwing harder & cheaper!
Having Sanchez is like having another pitching coach on your bench, I would be ok with a 2 year deal, he can always go to the bullpen once he can’t start. And I’m sure he will sign at most for 8 or 9 million per year, but probably less.