The Mariners released third baseman/outfielder Brian Anderson from the minor league deal he was on earlier this week, but he’s already inked a new minor league pact to return to the M’s organization, tweets Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Anderson is headed to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the season. He’ll give the Mariners some corner depth with plenty of big league experience.
From 2017-22, Anderson was a regular with the Marlins, including a peak where he was one of the team’s best players for several seasons. From 2018-20, Anderson slashed .266/.350/.436 (115 wRC+), serving as a steady contributor in the middle of Miami’s lineup. He walked at a solid 9% clip along the way, struck out at a lower-than-average 21.6%, and even popped 20 homers during the 2019 season. Anderson split his time between third base and right field with Miami, posting above-average defensive marks at both spots.
Over the past three seasons, his bat has taken a step back, prompting the Marlins to non-tender him following the 2022 season. A change of scenery with the Brewers didn’t bring about the return to form he’d hoped. Since 2021, Anderson has 1008 big league plate appearances but just a .231/.317/.362 slash to show for it — accompanied by an inflated 27.2% strikeout rate that’s a good bit higher than his former levels.
Injuries have undoubtedly played a role in his decline. An oblique strain, a pair of shoulder subluxations — both requiring a 60-day IL stint — and multiple IL stints due to back injuries have taken their toll. But Anderson also had a nice showing in his limited look with the Mariners this spring, hitting .250/.344/.536 with two homers and two doubles in 32 trips to the plate.
The Mariners are far from set at third base or in right field, where they’re relying on a platoon of Luis Urias/Josh Rojas and a rebound from the oft-injured Mitch Haniger, respectively. They’re both reasonably shaky scenarios, and it’s not hard to see injuries and/or uneven performance prompting the M’s to tap into their upper-level depth — particularly if Anderson continues to produce the way he did during Cactus League play.
Me gusta mucho!
Was sorta bummed when we cut him loose. I’m glad he decided to sign this deal. May prove useful over time.
Good signing especially with Urias nursing a bad arm and a burgeoning gut
I am thrilled to see this. The hot corner is where the Mariners really can use all the help they can get.
Nods
I’m not sure why they didn’t pursue JD Davis when SF cut him loose. Oakland signed him for next to nothing.
Sort of a head-scratcher. Perhaps they did reach-out to Davis, but the offer wasn’t enough for him to pack-up his family (and stuff) and move?
That’s what I thought too. Signing with Oakland, he doesn’t have to pack up and move away.
Also, the M’s probably weren’t willing to guarantee Davis getting into 140-150 games… which Oakland could?
This is a preferred outcome with him since they have two ✌ question marks playing third base. It’s not a bad idea to hedge your bet when ever you can.
I like this. The second I heard Garver was out with back spasms last night, cutting Anderson was one of the first things that came to my mind when thinking who’d be brought up in case of a trip to the IL. I’m sure it would be Marlowe or maybe even Clase, but I think Anderson is definitely a good depth piece . Glad M’s were able to bring him back to Tacoma.
I still think people are underestimating Rojas. I think he’s gonna have a really good year.