Free agent starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez is open to returning to the Detroit Tigers next season, the hurler told Joe Rexrode of the Detroit Free Press.

The 28-year-old right-hander lost in his only World Series appearance, but only allowed two runs on six hits while striking out eight batters in seven innings. Over three postseason games, Sanchez maintained a 1.77 ERA while punching out 18 hitters in 20-1/3 innings.

Sanchez, who was acquired from the Miami Marlins along with Omar Infante in a midseason trade, went 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA in 2012. Despite the poor record, Sanchez posted good walk and strikeout rates, and was excellent down the stretch for the Tigers, who didn't clinch a postseason berth until the final series of the season.

In seven MLB seasons, Sanchez owns a 3.75 career ERA with solid peripherals, and could fetch big money on the open market. The Tigers already have four players on their payroll, which is more than $133 million, who made eight figures in 2012.