Anibal Sanchez re-signs with Tigers

• Anibal Sanchez signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Detroit Tigers
• The 28-year-old was considered the No. 2 pitcher on the free-agent market behind Zack Greinke
• Sanchez was 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA in 2012, which he split between the Tigers and Marlins

Free-agent starter Anibal Sanchez, after a topsy-turvy negotiating period, agreed Friday morning to a five-year, $80 million contract with the Detroit Tigers, according to Gene Mato, his agent.

Sanchez, who Thursday was ready to sign with the Chicago Cubs, instead opted to return to Detroit when the Tigers increased their offer beyond the Cubs' five-year, $77.5 million package.

Sanchez's agreement with the Tigers was confirmed by a high-ranking Cubs official with direct knowledge of the negotiations. He spoke to USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because the signing is not yet official.

Sanchez, 28, considered the No. 2 pitcher on the free-agent market behind Zack Greinke, was also heavily pursued by at least five other teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals.

Sanchez, 28, was 9-13 with a 3.86 ERA combined with the Tigers and Miami Marlins last season. He has a 48-51 career record with a 3.75 ERA. He has never pitched 200 innings, with only one winning season since 2006. Yet, he pitched well down the stretch for The Tigers. He was 2-2 with a 2.43 ERA in September. He also was 1-2 with a 1.77 ERA in the postseason, striking out 18 batters with just six walks.

The signing of Sanchez gives the Tigers a formidable starting rotation, joining Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer and Doug Fister. They also will have Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly competing for the fifth spot.

Cubs president Theo Epstein, who left the Boston Red Sox to become president of the Cubs last October, ironically was trying to lure back the man he traded away in November, 2005 when he was the Red Sox general manager. Sanchez was traded along with shortstop Hanley Ramirez to the Miami Marlins for starter Josh Beckett, third baseman Mike Lowell and reliever Guillermo Mota. Sanchez remained with the Marlins until traded last July to the Tigers.