The Rangers have signed Chase Anderson to a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. He was released by the Red Sox earlier this month.
Anderson, 36, signed a minor league deal with the Pirates during the 2023-24 offseason. He was released shortly before Opening Day, and not long after, he signed a major league deal with the Red Sox worth $1.25MM guaranteed. Primarily a starter throughout his career, the veteran right-hander joined Boston’s bullpen as a multi-inning arm. Over 27 games, he tossed 52 innings, pitching to a 4.85 ERA and 4.92 SIERA. Despite his move to a full-time bullpen role, his velocity was not meaningfully higher on any of his pitches, and his 15.6% strikeout rate was the lowest of his career. Ultimately, Anderson was a serviceable mop-up arm but not much more for the Red Sox. As they bolstered their bullpen at the trade deadline, they no longer had room for him on the roster.
Over 11 MLB seasons, Anderson has suited up for eight different clubs: the Diamondbacks, Brewers, Blue Jays, Phillies, Reds, Rays, Rockies, and Red Sox. He has also spent time with the Rangers, Tigers, and Pirates organizations, although he did not pitch for their big league clubs. If his second stint with Texas is more successful than the first, the Rangers will become the ninth team he has played for in his big league career.
As for the Rangers, there’s no such thing as too much pitching, and this team could surely use some veteran bullpen depth. Aside from those on the active roster, Texas does not have many healthy relievers in the organization with significant big league experience and any amount of recent big league success. If the Rangers select Anderson’s contract, they will only owe him a prorated portion of the minimum salary for however long he remains on the roster. The Red Sox are still responsible for the rest of his guaranteed 2024 salary.
While Chase’s numbers may not be the best he gave the Red Sox some very important innings out of the pen early in the season and several times saved the bullpen by throwing 15 multi-inning appearances, 8 of which were three innings or more.
Rsox – The thing is, at least 500 other pitchers could have contributed as much as he did this season and they could have done it for less money.
The three 3-inning saves he got were with leads of 7 runs, 9 runs and 10 runs. Even position players could have covered some of those innings.
What’s amazing to me is that in all 27 games he didn’t pick up a Win or a Hold, how many relievers pitch that often without a Hold?
I’m just glad the Sox have finally eliminated the mopup role, it was such a waste of a roster spot. Now all 8 relievers are capable of pitching in high leverage situations.
They didn’t really eliminate it, its just been given to Criswell
Rsox – Criswell will be used in high leverage situations and will be a spot starter. He pitched brilliantly in Colorado with seven shutout innings.
If you ever desperate for a guess on immaculate grid, he’s your guy.