Could the Red Sox be in line for a reunion seven years in the making?
It looks like they’re at least open to the idea, as the Red Sox have expressed interest in free-agent starter Anibal Sanchez, according to the Boston Herald.
The Sox, of course, signed Sanchez as an amateur free agent in 2001 while general manager Ben Cherington was overseeing international scouting for the organization. The right-hander then rose through the Sox system but was eventually dealt to the Marlins in 2005 as part of the trade that brought Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston. Cherington was serving as co-GM of the Sox at the time of that trade.
A lot has happened since Sanchez’s 2005 departure, and after stops in Miami and Detroit, the 28-year-old is one of the most sought after hurlers on the open market this offseason.
The righty went 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts split between the Marlins and Tigers in 2012, and went 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA in three starts for Detroit in the playoffs. Sanchez, who tossed a no-hitter in 2006, is 48-51 with a 3.75 ERA in 145 career regular season appearances (144 starts).
Sanchez would undoubtedly be a nice addition to any pitching staff, but the cost of acquiring the free agent’s services looks to be high. According to FOXSports.com’s Jon Morosi, Sanchez is seeking a contract in the six-year, $90 million range.
