Well, it didn’t take long for things to get off and running today after yesterday’s string of updates …
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs have bumped their original five-year, $75 million offer to free agent starter Anibal Sanchez to five years and $77.5 million. It’s an increase, but not one that knocks you over the head. The Tigers, says Rosenthal, are still at $75 million. The negotiation dance is ongoing.
UPDATE 1 (8:13am CT): Jon Heyman says the Cubs are now “out,” and the Tigers are in position to sign Sanchez, barring a last minute surprise entrant.
UPDATE 2 (8:21am CT): I’m expecting Rosenthal to amplify his earlier report (which preceded Heyman’s by about 3 minutes) any moment now to clarify, but I’m thinking that it’s just a simple matter of Sanchez’s agent using the Cubs to get the Tigers up to five years, which they did last night. And then the agent went back to the Cubs to see if they would blow the Tigers out of the water, which, at $77.5 million, they declined to do.
UPDATE 3 (8:40am CT): I’m taking this more as commentary than any kind of substantive info – from Buster Olney: “The postscripts to the Anibal Sanchez negotiations will be interesting. Because it’s clear that there’s a lot of misremembering going on.” We should be preparing ourselves for this to shake out unfavorably.
UPDATE 4 (8:46am CT): Heyman says the Cubs have “moved on.” The deal isn’t done with the Tigers yet, and another team could still enter the mix. Are the Cubs trying to apply some of their own pressure? Maybe. But the more logical explanation is that they simply reached their limit.
UPDATE 5 (8:52am CT): And Sanchez’s agent, who played everyone, tells Bob Nightengale that Sanchez has agreed to a five-year, $80 million deal with the Tigers. It was where he clearly always wanted to go.
UPDATE 6 (8:55am CT): Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs haven’t been told they’re out, but I’m expecting we’ll hear that soon. He adds that the Cubs don’t think they’ll get Sanchez, and expect to turn their attentions elsewhere.
UPDATE 7 (8:59am CT): Multiple reports, including Gordon, say it’s done – Sanchez to the Tigers for 5 years and $80 million. Good for him for getting the money and the location he wanted. I’m going to go punch a dolphin.
Should have waited one more minute for Heyman’s tweet
Heyman tweeting that the Cubs are out …
Jon Heyman @JonHeymanCBS
Cubs are out on anibal. #tigers look like tiger are likely winner
#tigers are believed at $75M for 5 on anibal. In position to sign, barring mystery team last-minute entry
And what’s the point of $75M to $77.5M?
That’s like 3.3%. Would anyone relocate jobs to a worse company for a measly 3.3% raise?
If it got me the eff out of Detroit, I would have signed for the same money to not be in Detroit.
I mean, if Cleveland makes fun of you, then your city is bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysmLA5TqbIY
the $2.5M-$5M was probably the buyout on a 6th year Club Option
Would you rather live in Chicago or Detroit ?
Ask Dempster who held out from the Red Sox over 1.5 million!
boooo heyman
That 2.5M more will not be enough. Offer a 6 year as a mutual option with a buy out of 2.5M. I like that idea much better. Come on Theo.
Who do you believe? Time will tell.
Heyman sucks I hope he is wrong
Dang…too much to hope that someone its it wrong the other way?
And that’s that. Back to work.
Rosenthal is pretty legit on his stuff though so idk who to believe
Nothing is to say that they both aren’t right. Rosenthal’s came out first where the Cubs upped the offer then Heyman’s came out and he could have heard that Sanchez was turning down that offer.
Surely if the Cubs are “out” Sanchez has no leverage at all against the Tigers? Why would they still offer him 5-years?
I know its fantasy but it would be so appropriate if the Tgers said Cubs out we only offer 4 years.
Damn this sucks I wonder if the Cubs will go higher or if this is just the agent trying to get more out of the Cubs
Maybe we will get a “pity” trade out of the Tigers or at least a gift basket from Sanchez…
I guess that giant counteroffer wasn’t enough to sway Anibal.
Come on Lightengale lol
For real, this is three times in the last year that something major has been “done”. I don’t really blame the FO for any of it, but it is getting pretty darn old.
Brett, off this site get Detroit Native. Thank you.
I’m so tired of this crap. I’m now longer going to believe a player is on the Cubs until I see him in a uniform.
I hate twitter
Can only take so many gut punches before finally get knocked out. They are willing to spend the money so Bourn has got to be next
Moving on after the latest Cub melodrama…..
Trying to understand why many of you would be so excited about the Cubs acquiring Bourjos. What am I missing looking at his stats? Why would he be so attractive to you guys?
Yeah I don’t know about him either. His minor league stats are okay for a centerfielder but they haven’t translated well into the majors.
And the Drafma continues only thing we know someones right ans someones wrong
Blah. This one hurts.
Today is my BD and already I feel like crap. Cubs really got taken for a ride on this one. WTF
KILL EVERYONE
Here’s Jon Heyman’s tweet:
“Cubs are out on anibal. #tigers look like tiger are likely winner”
Does this look like a source I want to believe? Are you hungover Jon? Journalism 101 read before you hit publish!
I’m sticking with Rosenthal.
If Sanchez signs with the Tigers may his crotch and the crotch of his agent be infested with fire ants for 2 lifetimes.
Okay off to see the Hobbit hopefully this is over when I get back
Why am I at work?
If your like me its the damn college tuition for the last one …
This could also come down to a NTC more than money. Does anyone know if Detroit offers NTC’s?
It looks like Fielder has a limited NTC, but he’s the only player I can see with one. That may just be because he was a such a big free agent. Pun intended.
He was highly sought after as well.