The Blue Jays have agreed to a minor-league pact with free-agent lefty Brett Anderson, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca (via Twitter). Anderson still must undergo a physical before the deal is finalized.
Toronto has struggled to fill out its rotation, with injuries leaving openings and the team dealing away Francisco Liriano at the deadline. While a Wild Card run still seems generally unlikely, there’s enough of an opening that it certainly makes sense for the Jays to seek out some new options. And there could be a greater rotation need if the club ends up dealing Marco Estrada.
Anderson will represent a free-roll for Toronto. The Cubs promised the 29-year-old a $3.5MM payday for the current season and remain on the hook for the remainder after releasing him earlier this summer. Toronto would only need to pony up the league-minimum rate of pay for any time that Anderson spends on the MLB roster.
Both Anderson and the Jays will hope for a bounceback performance after Anderson struggled with Chicago. Back issues have again been a significant problem, and Anderson’s 22 MLB innings have not gone well. In that span, he was roughed up to the tune of 20 earned runs on 34 hits and a dozen walks.
There have been better days in the past, of course. For most of his career, Anderson has turned in quality results when healthy. As recently as 2015, he was able to spin 180 1/3 innings of 3.69 ERA ball, though that was his first full season since 2009 and ending up giving way to an injury-shortened 2016 campaign.
Should the southpaw earn his way back up to the majors, he ought to have enough time to showcase his form for possible winter suitors. While the injury history significantly limits his earning upside, Anderson could still conceivably score a MLB deal over the offseason if he’s able to turn in a handful of effective starts for Toronto.
lets go
He was garbage before his usual DL stint. Which means he will fit right in up there.
Guy was solid before getting hurt, April numbers weren’t bad at all.
Funny, but remember, Pedro, irony is lost on the masses.
They’re not competing, not a bad option to soak up innings.
Good for Anderson too- low pressure environment for him to be able to have a trial run to attempt to drum up some offseason interest.
You must have them mistaken for the Phillies as they’re definitely not competing. I wouldn’t call the Jays “not competing” considering they’re only 3.5 games out of a wild card spot.
Well, they can start him at Wrigley this weekend and he can help the Cubs win so he has a chance at a ring.
Hell, why not? If he’s healthy he’s better than anybody not in their top four. Good low risk, high reward move
Hard to make a case that Brett Anderson has any more current value than struggling White Sox southpaw Derek Holland who at least has taken the ball every 5th day this season. Miguel Gonzalez would trump both pitchers among the available back end starters in August.
Sure, but there’s no reason for the Blue Jays to trade for anybody right now
So a team dealing with rotation issues because of injuries signs a pitcher with a history of injuries?
Yep, sure am glad Shapiro ain’t in Cleveland anymore.
The market isn’t exactly bursting with healthy, serviceable starters.
Works for the Dodgers, but you have to be a cash cow.
You hate that core he built?
I mean.. It’s a minor league contract and they don’t have to pay anything if he doesn’t make it to the show. Not exactly a high risk move for a guy who’s still got pretty good stuff overall.
Before criticising Shapiro, remember that Doug Fister AND Kyle Kendrick have pitched for the Red Sox this year.
Brett Anderson…. the guy can con just about anyone into giving him a deal… they’d be better off bringing up one of the pitchers they drafted this year.
If Brett Anderson is healthy, he is a piece, nothing more. If he is not healthy, he takes up space and minimum dollars. Perhaps another Liriano. Another deck chair on the “we don’t have enough pitching deck”.