Update: Conflicting reports on Cubs signing RHP Anibal Sanchez
UPDATE: Bob Nightengale of USA Today is now reporting Anibal Sanchez has agreed to a five-year contract with the Cubs, citing an official with direct knowledge of the negotiations told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
In the aftermath of the Angels signing Josh Hamilton and the Red Sox signing Ryan Dempster, conflicting reports emerged on the destination of Sanchez.
The Cubs have signed Sanchez to a five-year deal according to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today via Twitter.
An earlier tweet from Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal said the Cubs’ deal could be worth $75 million.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com quickly contradicted those tweets, reporting Sanchez’s agent was still talking to several teams, including the Tigers.
Sanchez, 28, was 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 167 strikeouts in 195 2/3 innings last season for the Marlins and Tigers. A late-season surge and strong postseason elevated Sanchez’s value in the free agent market. In his last eight regular-season starts, he produced a 2.15 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. In three postseason starts, Sanchez produced a 1.77 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 18 strikeouts in 20 1/3 innings.
And the #Cubs turn out to be the second mystery team of the day, reaching agreement on five-year deal with Anibal Sanchez—
Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 13, 2012
Sources: #Cubs in serious discussions with Anibal Sanchez. Deal could be 5 years/$75 million. #Tigers still a threat.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 13, 2012
anibal's agent Gene Mato said he's still talking to other teams. #tigers have been involved all winter, like cubs—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 13, 2012
#tigers are very much in anibal mix, sources say. game not over yet.—
Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) December 13, 2012
Why don't you guys report the news when it's news instead of racing to be first and doing the worst: BEING WRONG. Quit with the "according the report" and "according to unnamed sources" crap.