With the MLB trade deadline quickly approaching, every transaction is more significant since it could affect how the season plays out. Potentially significant players may become casualties of the inevitable turnover as teams strive to assemble the finest squad possible for a postseason push and run.
One such athlete is pitcher Nick Anderson. According to MLB expert Bob Nightengale on X, Anderson cleared waivers following his release from the Kansas City Royals and is now a free agent.
On July 14, the Royals designated Anderson for assignment. The fifth-year veteran was released by Kansas City, though, since he chose not to go to the minors.
Early in his career, Anderson displayed promise. In 68 appearances during his debut campaign in 2019, he recorded a 3.32 ERA, 1.077 WHIP, and an astounding 110 strikeouts in 65 innings pitched. In 2020, he was also selected to the first team of the All-MLB.
He missed the entire 2022 season due to injuries, which unfortunately wrecked much of the following three years. Indeed, in 2024, he managed the second-best totals of his career with 37 appearances and 35.2 innings pitched for the Royals.
Nevertheless, when healthy, he’s been productive. Anderson had a 3.06 ERA, 9.2 K/9, and a stellar ERA+ of 145 when playing for the Atlanta Braves the previous season. Though his K/9 decreased and his 3.8 BB/9 is the lowest of his career, Anderson has struggled this year, recording a 4.04 ERA, 1.402 WHIP, and 0.3 WAR.
It probably won’t take Anderson long to find a new home, though, as nine teams were openly looking for bullpen help at the trade deadline. After clearing waivers, Anderson is available for signing at the $740,000 league minimum wage. What’s even more alluring is that his new team would simply have to pay the remaining league minimum from the moment of his signing.
Former relief pitcher Nick Anderson is unrestricted.
On May 25, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA, relief pitcher Nick Anderson (63), of the Kansas City Royals, throws a pitch at Tropicana Field during the eleventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Sportswriter Jonathan Dyer of USA TODAY
Almost certainly, Anderson will return to the mound in the near future given this small financial commitment for a proven reliever at a time when teams are frantically trying to bolster their bullpens in anticipation of a strong second half. If the 33-year-old veteran is taken on by the Yankees or Red Sox, he might even have an impact on the American League playoff race.
The Philadelphia Phillies, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and other National League teams are all looking to bolster their bullpen depth, so the Royals would likely prefer to see Anderson join them there.
Kansas City remains a strong contender for the postseason. The Royals are one game away from a Wild Card position and own the sixth best record in the American League, but they trail the first-place Cleveland Guardians by seven games in the AL Central.
The Royals made an agreement with the Washington Nationals to acquire reliever Hunter Harvey in an attempt to strengthen their worrisome bullpen. Harvey was acquired by Kansas City by trading the Nationals their second overall prospect, Cayden Wallace, and a draft pick. The Royals assigned Anderson to an assignment in order to create space for the new reliever.
Compared to Anderson in 2024, Harvey hasn’t done all that well. The 29-year-old right-hander has tossed 45 innings and has a 4.20 ERA, 1.222 WHIP, and 0.2 WAR. Even yet, this season he has outperformed Anderson in the Royals’ K/9, BB/9, and HR/9 statistics. At the All-Star break, Harvey had 26 holds, which ties him for the major league lead in holds this season.
In contrast to Anderson’s $1.575 million compensation, Harvey is receiving $2.35 million this season and is under team control through 2026. The Royals had their sights set on Harvey “for a number of years,” according to General Manager J.J. Picollo, as reported by MLB.com’s Anne Rogers. Regarding the deal, Picollo stated, “We’re happy to have Hunter in a Royals uniform and I’d like to think we have a better bullpen today than we had earlier [Saturday] going into the game.”
Cost-effective relief pitchers with major league experience are especially desirable this late in the season, so some teams in need of pitching will probably soon be eager to add Anderson to their bullpen.
Leave a Reply