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Anibal Sanchez open to returning to Tigers in 2013

Free agent pitcher Anibal Sanchez told reporters that he is open to returning to the Tigers next season. Whether or not they'll have room in their budget to sign him is a different story.

By Bryan Kilpatrick
Leon Halip

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.