The Royals have acquired right-hander Nick Anderson from the Braves, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (X links). The Braves will receive cash considerations in return.
Anderson is arbitration-eligible for the second time this winter, and is projected to earn $1.6MM in 2024. The deal removes yet another player from the Braves’ arbitration class, which is now down to six players from 13 at the start of the offseason. Since Anderson was a non-tender candidate anyway, the trade allows Atlanta to at least collect a small fee rather than lose the righty for nothing by cutting him prior to tonight’s 7pm CT non-tender deadline.
Best known for his two outstanding years as a bullpen weapon for the Marlins and Rays, Anderson posted great numbers in 2019-20, before running out of gas late in Tampa’s run to the 2020 World Series. The righty was never quite the same again, as injuries cost him essentially all of the next two seasons. Anderson threw just six innings in 2021 before a UCL injury put him on the shelf, and an internal brace procedure in his right elbow was eventually required. Between this surgery and then a bout of plantar fasciitis, Anderson didn’t see any big league action during the 2022 campaign.
It was just over a year ago that the Rays waived Anderson, only for the Braves to sign him to a split contract. The good news is that Anderson was able to return to a Major League mound, and he was pretty effective in posting a 3.06 ERA over 35 1/3 innings and 35 appearances, along with a 25.5% strikeout rate and 6.4% walk rate. Unfortunately, injuries again sidelined the 33-year-old, as he missed over two months due to a shoulder strain and made only three minor league appearances after July 7. Even at a pretty modest arbitration salary, Anderson was deemed expendable by the Braves.
Matt Quatraro was a coach with the Rays during Anderson’s tenure in Tampa Bay, so the Royals manager is very familiar with what Anderson can do when healthy. Even the righty’s 2023 numbers indicated that he still has some of his old magic still in the tank, and for a Kansas City team in need of bullpen help, adding Anderson is a relatively inexpensive bet the Royals are willing to make. Since the Royals might be out of contention again next season, Anderson might also be an intriguing trade chip to be flipped at the deadline, particularly since he is controllable through the 2025 season.
Clearing house today.
The Braves are getting ready for something big.
Ohtani press-conference tomorrow afternoon?
Because they are clearing some 40-man space?
Dark horse Soto deal?
Sonny Gray is the ceiling for Braves acquisitions this year
Sonny Gray will be the new Jamie Moyer someday.
Doubt it. He has a QO attached and the Braves usually don’t go after those guys. It’s a possibility I suppose, but I would doubt it.
That being said, you are in the correct ballpark for best FA pickup. If they make more expensive noise it will be a Fried extension or a trade with a prospect haul that buys down a big salary guy.
Need Roster space for the haul they will receive for Acuna! His value will never be higher!
Soto & Tatis Jr for Acuna. Who says no?
No, no, not for a rental,
Royals gonna flip him at the deadline like they did Chapman obviously
Makes sense, everyone needs bullpen help by the deadline.
Anderson has two years of control left, so the Royals could keep him and flip him at the trade deadline in 2025.
Dude had good numbers this past season with the Braves. Why would they get rid of him?
Rarely healthy. A decent project and benefit for making TB coach your manager in KC.
The Braves bullpen already has Raisel Iglesias/Pierce Johnson/Joe Jimenez/A.J. Minter/Aaron Bummer/Tyler Matzek/Michael Tonkin/Dylan Lee/Pen Murfee/Angel Perdomo all vying for spots and that doesn’t count any future additions. Roster crunch, someone’s got to go
Perdomo & Murfee won’t be pitching until next year
They are clearing 40 man spots
Braves are clearing roster spots- they’re not really shedding money, but they are definitely creating roster space… hmm…. Unless shedding like $4M or something is meaningful in their plans…
I think they are saving money to sign at least one high paid free agent.
This move seems odd, he has had pretty good results over his career, doesn’t make a lot of money and still has arb years ahead of him. To move him just for cash doesn’t make sense to me. There must be something else going on.
Can’t stay healthy and missed half of 2023 so had little trade value. Royals are taking a chance he stays healthy, puts up good numbers, and gets a return at next summer’s deadline.
13 positional players on the active roster(out of 36 players on the current roster). AA is gearing up for some action.
Could have been a really good get for the cards. Dang
Kept Ian Anderson. In aa Braves trust
Well, it’s not 8PM EST yet. He could still get traded/released. Probably not, though.
Get Bummer trade Anderson. I’m confused.
I understand he was injured. He was really good when he wasn’t, and he had options and was under control or two more years. The Braves need upside arms with options and years of control. He checks these boxes and for cash considerations? It is not. like they had to make this move. There is 40 man space already for an acquisition. Really weird.
Could it possibly be AA knows what he’s doing?
If you heard ‘AA doesn’t know what he is doing’ that would be because of you.
See, I hate to lose him, but unlike the other trade, this one makes complete sense.
The Braves now have four open roster spots. They need another SP, a LF, a backup infielder and a backup outfielder. More deals probably coming soon for them.
Wow, Anderson was solid last year and one of my arms the braves had. Hopefully this means they are planning something big.
Anderson was the ’23 version of Chris Martin, a tall strike thrower who got people out.
Clearing room for Blake Snell,
This according to my FA Contest predictions.