Left-hander Brett Anderson sat out the 2022 season, but Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reports he’s preparing for a potential comeback next year. The veteran starter turns 35 in February.
Anderson appeared in the majors in every year from 2009-21. He spent his first five seasons in Oakland before taking on more of a journeyman role by the 2014 campaign. Dealt to the Rockies during the 2013-14 offseason, he’d go on to appear with five different teams over the next five seasons. Anderson spent one year in Denver followed by two seasons with the Dodgers. He split the 2017 campaign between the Cubs and Blue Jays before heading back to Oakland.
The former second-round draftee spent the 2018-19 seasons with the A’s, throwing 176 innings (the second-highest total of his career) in the second season. After that year, Anderson inked a $5MM contract with the Brewers. He spent the abbreviated 2020 campaign in Milwaukee, then returned on a new $2.5MM pact for 2021.
Anderson made 24 starts during his second season with the Brew Crew, but the club limited him to 96 frames. He only faced an opponent for the third time in a outing on 43 occasions. That somewhat sheltered role paid off, as Anderson posted decent numbers in a hitter-friendly Milwaukee environment. He worked to a 4.22 ERA, only walking 6.8% of his opponents while racking up grounders on a massive 57.5% of batted balls. Anderson averaged under 90 MPH on his fastball and only struck out 14.2% of batters faced, but his go-to sinker remained effective at keeping the ball out of the air.
At year’s end, Anderson qualified for free agency. He seemingly didn’t pursue any opportunities, as there were no substantive reports of teams with interest last winter. Anderson never announced his retirement, however, and he’s apparently again looking to get back to the highest level.
For his career, the Texas native owns a 4.07 ERA in 1140 1/3 innings. He allowed around four earned runs per nine innings in each season from 2019-21, and some clubs will presumably check in on his progress as he builds back towards game strength. Anderson will surely have to take a minor league contract and may well have to conduct a showcase in front of scouts before signing, but it stands to reason he could secure an invitation to Spring Training at some point this offseason.
Good luck to him. It would make for a nice comeback story if he’s successful.
Come back to Oakland! They could use a good veteran to mentor the young guys coming up.
Seems like a good fit.
Kinds shocked there didn’t seem to be a lot of interest in him this past year.
The article implied that maybe he had a personal reason to skip a season
Pirates, or A’s should take a chance.
Agreed. He’d be perfect for either club.
I think Pirates have had him but maybe it was someone else.
You might be thinking of Tyler Anderson
No not him someone else…
How wait I remember, it was Tanner Anderson.
Oh*
This guy has been disappearing for a season or two and then randomly making a comeback for like a decade now.
“Anderson appeared in the majors in every year from 2009-21”
Tell me you didn’t read the article without telling me you didn’t read the article.
Also, “Tell me you didn’t read click the link to his b ref page without telling me you didn’t look at his stats.”
Tell me you didn’t research!! Up until 2018 he hasn’t had a steady role.
WiseCounsel was correct. He’s been on guaranteed MLB contracts every year until last season when he opted not to pitch. Career earnings of nearly $60MM. One year he made over $15MM and appeared in four games. Good stuff, bad health.
Then tell me something too.
The A’s should get him, That would make me happy.
Maybe if he’s willing to reinvent himself as a reliever. But there’s no way anyone can count on him to hold up for significant innings in a rotation.
Doubt anyone would sign him counting on him being part of the opening day roster. Probably more of a 6th or 7th on the depth chart minor league deal.
Do us all a favor and stay away
I actually think it’s a good idea that guys like this take a year off to abuse steroids and then come back healthier and stronger. You only have limited time in this profession to make as much money as you can, and there really is no health downside to it no matter what the nay sayers have to say about it.
Love finding that mute button!
many players seem to use hgh. not worrying about getting caught.
@Holden Bases
Glad you managed to find it. Thanks for letting me know.
Don’t players have to remain in the random testing program even if not under contract in order to remain eligible for a future contract?
Yup. They have to sign intent to retire paperwork to opt out.
I thought it was an obvious joke. You don’t need to take a year off to use steroids.
Might have more suitors if he becomes a swingman or reliever.
go home!
Seems like a Pittsburgh Pirates move here. A guy to eat some innings after a starter tosses 6 runs in 3 innings. Here we go, another pitcher signed by Pittsburgh this offseason
Only if he agrees to play for the major league minimum would Pittsburgh sign him
Which is quite possible due to his age and being a bullpen arm. The bullpen is usually the league minimum anyways
Why not. MLB front offices are handing out big contracts, to young and old, like they’re Dominoes deliveries.
Tall. Lefty. Mid 30s. Sure, grab a slice!
This is most definitely a Pirates kind of FA signing.
Correct, and the ONLY reason PIT signs any free agent is with the intention to flip him at the deadline for prospects that never make it to the majors. Clearly a winning strategy on which they’ve built their dynasty.
He’s a left gander with a pulse. He will sign
Take a gander and see if he can still pitch!
Here’s a headline …
Baseball fan seeking to move on from having to think about Brett Anderson ever again.
Pirates won’t sign him or any other pitcher this off season
Pirates should just keep bringing up young arms from the farm to see if any can get major league hitters out. Why sign a washed up pitcher with a dead arm?
The Redsox should give him a shot. He was pretty sharp when he was healthy. Couldn’t hurt.