The Marlins have non-tendered third baseman Brian Anderson and right-hander Nick Neidert, reports Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald (Twitter links).
Anderson, 29, isn’t far removed from being a core contributor and potential extension candidate with the Marlins. The former No. 76 overall draft pick posted respectable numbers through 95 plate appearances at age 24 in his MLB debut back in 2017, and by the 2018 season he’d established himself as a fixture in the Miami lineup. From 2018-20, Anderson appeared in 341 games, tallied 1419 plate appearances and recorded a solid .266/.350/.436 slash line. He never posted huge home run totals — career-high 20 in 2019 — but showed plenty of doubles power in the Marlins’ spacious home park, logging 74 doubles in that time.
Originally a third baseman, Anderson spent much of the 2018 season in right field before beginning to split his time between right field and the hot corner in 2019. He’s logged average defensive grades across the board at third base in his career and been an above-average right fielder in the estimation of Defensive Runs Saved and Ultimate Zone Rating (though Statcast, notably, pegs him as a below-average defender in right).
The past two seasons haven’t been as productive. Anderson has been dogged by oblique, shoulder and back injuries dating back to Opening Day 2021. He’s still managed a .233/.321/.359 batting line in that time (93 wRC+), but Anderson has only been healthy enough to take the field for 165 games/647 plate appearances over the past two seasons. Coupled with a projected $5.2MM salary in arbitration (via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz), Anderson was cut loose by a Marlins club that is seeking offense upgrades at multiple positions. He’d have been a free agent next winter anyhow, given his five-plus years of MLB service time, but Anderson will reach the market earlier than scheduled and now be able to field interest from all 29 other clubs.
Neidert, 26 on Sunday, was a more straightforward decision. While he once ranked as one of the better pitching prospects in Miami’s system, he’s totaled 49 big league innings across the past three seasons and worked to a 4.59 ERA with just a 13.3% strikeout rate against an 11.8% walk rate.
Neidert has posted strong numbers in Triple-A over the past couple seasons, so it’s possible the Fish will take advantage of the fact that today is the only time of year a player can be cut loose without having to be subjected to waivers — immediately removing him from the 40-man roster and quickly looking to re-sign him to a minor league contract. Neidert has one minor league option year remaining, though, and could appeal to some pitching-needy clubs around the league.
Wouldn’t mind seeing either of these on the Mets for the right price. Anderson can replace Naquin’s spot on the roster. Neidert is better than most of the Mets bullpen
I don’t see Anderson being unemployed for long.
I think he’d fit with the Red Sox.
Has played 3B and RF, can learn LF and 1B.
Can hit fly balls off the Green Monster for doubles.
That’s actually a really good fit.
That’s what I was thinking too
Solid fit. Only real concern is a long history of Injuries
I really want Nimmo and belly for the Jays. Belly is the perfect 4of for them in that situation cut he has speed and good defense but there’s something to his bat and the AL east is a great place to take a 1 year show me deal. Anderson is another lefty bat that could fit in TO aswell
I don’t see Bellinger signing to be a 4th OF. There are plenty of teams who will be willing to give him an opportunity at reestablishing himself.
Anderson bat’s right-handed
Anderson should have plenty of suitors.
I think Longoria would be a nice fit on this team:
Veteran who still has some game. He can’t play everyday but he’d be great in a platoon and his defense is still great.
I always thought Anderson had all sorts of potential that got lost in the sometimes mess of Miami. Could be a great pickup for Atlanta, or someone else looking for a buy low outfielder.
It would REALLY sting the Marlins if he had a fantastic rebound season in the NL East.
I’ve always wanted Brian Anderson on the braves, he has show promise.
Would like to see Anderson on the Mets.
Wouldn’t mind having Brian Anderson on the Cardinals
As mentioned, Anderson won’t be lacking suitors.
The only question is whether he or Bellinget get picked up first.
Sad that Anderson is non-tendered, but Cooper remains a Marlin.
Why not just bring him Anderson back, hope he rebounds, which is definitely possible and trade him at the deadline.. Might have infield prospects ready to take over I’m assuming, or else it doesn’t really make sense when it comes to asset management.
Rofl at Marlins and asset management. Those 2 things have never been close to synonymous
Both good enough players for most of teams. I can’t believe there was not possible to make a deal involving them.
When healthy, Anderson is an average 3B with plate discipline and decent power. Good glove.
Neidert just needs a longer leash in the majors, and he can probably be a 5th starter in at least 10 ML teams right now.
As a Marlins fan, I think the time has finally come to just not even say anything b/c it has got to the point where everything is a broken record, and nothing further can be said
Great, get rid of another fan favorite. Striving for mediocrity, it’s the Marlin’s way.
Fan favorite? Who? Brian Anderson stinks
YOU STINK