Every trade is more significant now that the MLB trade deadline is drawing near since it could affect how the season plays out. As teams strive to assemble the strongest roster for a postseason push and playoff run, potentially significant individuals may become casualties of the inevitable turnover.
One of these players is pitcher Nick Anderson. According to MLB analyst Bob Nightengale on X, Anderson passed waivers after the Kansas City Royals released the bullpen, making him a free agent.
On July 14, Anderson was marked for assignment by the Royals. But Kansas City terminated the fifth-year veteran because he chose not to go to the lower leagues.
Anderson’s career began with early signs of promise. He recorded a 3.32 ERA and 1.077 WHIP in 68 appearances during his rookie campaign in 2019 and recorded an astounding 110 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. In 2020, he was also selected for the All-MLB first team.
Sadly, injuries ruined a large portion of the following three years; he was sidelined for the whole 2022 campaign. In actuality, the 37 games and 35.2 innings pitched he pitched for the Royals in 2024 rank as his second-best career totals.
He has nevertheless proven useful when well. Anderson had an outstanding ERA+ of 145, a 3.06 ERA, and a 9.2 K/9 with the Atlanta Braves last season. Anderson, though, has had a difficult season. He has a 4.04 ERA, 1.402 WHIP, and 0.3 WAR, but his K/9 has decreased and his 3.8 BB/9 is the lowest of his career.
However, it’s probable that Anderson won’t have to wait long to find a new home given that at least nine clubs made clear they were looking for bullpen help around the trade deadline. Anderson can now be signed for the $740K league minimum contract after clearing waivers. What’s even more alluring is that, once he signs, his new team will simply need to pay the remaining league minimum.
Nick Anderson, a former reliever for the Royals, is a free agent.
In the eleventh inning of the Kansas City Royals’ game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on May 25, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, relief pitcher Nick Anderson (63), throws a pitch.
The USA TODAY Sports’ Jonathan Dyer
It is almost a given that Anderson will be pitching again soon after making such a little financial commitment for a seasoned reliever at a time when teams are frantically trying to bolster their bullpens in preparation for a second-half surge. If the Yankees or Red Sox decide to take a chance on the 33-year-old veteran, he might even have an impact on the American League playoff race.
The National League, where teams like the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, and San Diego Padres are eager to add to their bullpen depth, is undoubtedly where the Royals would love to see Anderson land.
Kansas City is still very much a contender for the postseason. The Royals have the sixth best record in the American League and are only one game off of a Wild Card position, while being seven games behind the Cleveland Guardians in first place in the AL Central.
To strengthen its worrisome bullpen, the Royals made an agreement with the Washington Nationals to acquire reliever Hunter Harvey. In exchange for Harvey, Kansas City delivered the Nationals their second overall prospect, Cayden Wallace, along with a draft pick. Anderson was assigned to the Royals in order to provide space for the new reliever.
In 2024, Harvey hasn’t done any better than Anderson. With 45 innings worked, the 29-year-old righty has a 4.20 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, and 0.2 WAR. Despite this, he has outperformed Anderson in the Royals’ K/9, BB/9, and HR/9 statistics this season. And with 26 holds at the All-Star break this year, Harvey is tied for the major league lead in holds.
Harvey is under team control through 2026 and is receiving $2.35 million this season as opposed to Anderson’s $1.575 million compensation. As MLB.com’s Anne Rogers reports, J.J. Picollo, general manager of the Royals, stated that the team has been targeting Harvey “for a number of years.” “I’d like to think we have a better bullpen today than we had earlier [Saturday] going into the game, and we’re excited to get Hunter in a Royals uniform,” Picollo said in reference to the trade.
Because major league success is hard to come by and Anderson is a reasonably priced relief pitcher, some pitching-starved teams will probably be eager to add him to their bullpen shortly.
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