Red Sox possibilities for 2018 from the baseball landfill
By Rick McNair
The Red Sox in the 2016 offseason made a spectacular trade of two top prospects for Chris Sale. Sale was outstanding and the players shipped out, Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, both seem to be on the fast track solid MLB careers. This was nothing new.
The Red Sox traded top prospect Hanley Ramirez and third-ranked prospect Anibal Sanchez to Miami for two players who became instrumental in delivering a 2007 world title. Sanchez has now become available as the Tigers have chosen not to exercise their $16 million option.
The downward trend for Sanchez is obvious. His fastball has lost three ticks and his secondary pitches now provide no puzzle to hitters. In 2013, Sanchez had an American League-best 2.57 ERA and an AL-best with the lowest HR/9 and 0.4. Last season Sanchez posted a 2.2 HR/9 and the trend since 2013 has been in that direction.
Can Sanchez either find lost velocity or can Sanchez reinvent himself as a pitcher? That is the unknown, but that can also be discovered with a low impact minor league deal. Sanchez represents that low-risk veteran who could give some much-needed support. Worth a look.
Sanchez has endured an injury littered career, but when he was healthy Sanchez was an excellent pitcher. The now 33-year-old right-hander may choose to call it a career or may be tempted to come back for a possible productive curtain call. That is the unknown. Sanchez, in my opinion, represents the best option of those I will list for risk-taking.