November 10: Anderson has cleared waivers and elected free agency, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
November 9: The Rays have placed right-hander Nick Anderson on outright waivers, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. The hard-throwing reliever no longer occupies a spot on Tampa Bay’s 40-man roster, and other clubs have an opportunity to add him if they’re willing to devote him a roster spot.
It’s certainly not the way the Rays envisioned Anderson’s tenure in the organization coming to a close. He had a breakout rookie season with the Marlins in 2019, and Tampa Bay flipped highly-touted outfielder Jesús Sánchez to Miami to add him at the deadline. Anderson posted a 2.11 ERA with a laughable 52.6% strikeout rate in 21 1/3 innings down the stretch. Anderson followed up with a 0.55 ERA across 16 1/3 innings during the shortened 2020 season, working as manager Kevin Cash’s most-trusted leverage arm in both of those years.
Unfortunately, Anderson’s form was diminished in the 2020 postseason. He had some forearm inflammation late in that season, proving a precursor to two years lost to injury. He was diagnosed with a partial UCL tear during Spring Training 2021. He appeared in only six games before going back on the IL. Last October, Anderson underwent a UCL brace procedure to repair his ligament. He was out until August, then suffered plantar fasciitis in his right foot late in the year.
Anderson’s 2022 season consisted of just 16 innings with Triple-A Durham. He put up a 5.63 ERA with a modest 17.4% strikeout rate, and that diminished form eventually led the Rays to cut bait.
With between three and four years of MLB service, Anderson is eligible for arbitration for the first time. He’s projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz for just an $845K salary, barely above the league minimum. That could lead another team to take a look at a formerly elite bullpen arm via waivers. If Anderson were to go unclaimed, he’d have the right to refuse an outright assignment in favor of minor league free agency.
The Yankees should definitely put in a claim for the kid. But likely won’t.
He’s 32. I don’t think “the kid” is an apt description for him anymore.
Does it really matter about his age? It means nothing. So go back to sleep. Smh.
Dude, you really need to get some help. Solid, qualified help if that is your reaction to a simple comment.
You make a sarcastic, basically unnecessary comment adding nothing to the topic….. and then amazed when that person responds in same way.
Gotta love the internet.
Yeah…not the same at all, but thanks for your completely necessary input.
For a while, there were few nastier than this guy.
Royals?
WTF Erik?
Everything went downhill after Game 6 of the 2020 World Series.
Everything went downhill 6 appearances prior to game 6 where Anderson gave up at least one run in each playoff outing. It was a bad decision to take out Snell compounded by bringing in an overworked, spent and possibly already injured Anderson.
Saw this coming, he didn’t even get a shot this year in the big leagues with all the injuries the rays had says it all. Wish him the best but wouldn’t count on it he’s already 32
A strikeout/9 career average of of 14.1? I can see Bloom all over this. He loves his strikeout pitchers.
I don’t think he lasts to the Sox on waivers
You think another team picks him up?
Anderson’s FB velocity was down significantly status post TJS and the results in AAA weren’t pretty
He’s actually ok.
Elbow must be done
I know its probably a long shot, but if this guy can get healthy again he’s a huge strikeout option in the armbarn.
He hasn’t been effective since the sticky stuff was outlawed.
Late blooming RP who hasn’t had it since then + a major surgery.
Won’t cost much to take a flier but it looks like a shot in the dark
Wow. Sad end indeed. Hope he can get it going again–was hoping the Rays could give him one more chance.
Oakland ?
Vegas?
This guy was good, but I did not see him pitch in minors this year.
He has dodgers written all over him
How did he go unclaimed, the Mets bullpen is the worst bullpen in the National League right now
And the Mets are sitting with only 32 in the 40 man roster right now. But 2 of the 32 are injured( Reid-Foley and Curtiss) and another barely pitched after TJ surgery ( Lucchesi). Would be nice to sign to a Minor league contract with Invitation to Spring Training kind of contract. You just don’t know how injured Anderson is right now.
He cant be any worse then those guys you just mentioned. I find it hard to believe he would go from reliever of the year to no one wanting him in the matter of 2 years. Even Kirby Yates and Ken Giles still gets contracts even though they have barely pitched the past couple years