Get ready for some exciting baseball news! The Tigers are making a bold move with their latest signing, and it's a story that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Right-handed pitcher Drew Anderson is set to join the Tigers, as reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. The deal is a one-year commitment with an option for 2027, and the financial details are yet to be disclosed. But here's the intriguing part: the Tigers expect Anderson to be a starter, based on his recent success in Korea.
Anderson, who will turn 32 in March, has had an interesting journey in the big leagues. He made brief appearances with multiple teams from 2017 to 2021, including the Phillies, White Sox, and Rangers. However, his ERA during those seasons was a less-than-impressive 6.50. So, he decided to take his talents overseas, joining the Hiroshima Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2022 season.
And boy, did he shine! Anderson's performance in Hiroshima was solid, with a 3.05 ERA over two seasons. This led him to attempt a comeback to North America, and the Tigers gave him a chance with a minor league deal in 2024. Unfortunately, he didn't make the cut initially, but he found a new home with the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization.
His time in Korea was a success story. In 2024, he pitched 115 2/3 innings across 24 appearances, maintaining a respectable 3.89 ERA. His strikeout rate was impressive at 31.9%, and he kept batters guessing with a 45.8% ground ball rate. The Landers were so pleased that they re-signed him for 2025, and his performance this year was even more outstanding.
In 2025, Anderson made 30 starts and logged an impressive 171 2/3 innings, showcasing a dominant 2.25 ERA. His strikeout rate soared to 35.3%, and he improved his walk rate to 7.3%. These numbers are nothing short of impressive, and they caught the attention of other teams.
In recent days, several teams have been active in signing players returning from overseas stints. The Astros signed Ryan Weiss to a $2.6MM deal, while the White Sox secured Anthony Kay for two years and $12MM. But the biggest move came from the Blue Jays, who agreed to a three-year, $30MM deal with Cody Ponce.
Now, here's where it gets controversial: Anderson's numbers in 2025 were quite comparable to Ponce's in certain areas. Ponce had a slightly higher strikeout rate and a lower walk rate, but his ground ball rate was just a hair behind Anderson's. Ponce's ERA was also slightly better at 1.89. So, why did Ponce command a much larger contract?
The industry consensus seems to favor Ponce based on his 'stuff,' as Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan of FanGraphs suggest. They believe Ponce could be a #4 starter on a good team, earning a two-year deal worth $20-25MM. Anderson, on the other hand, received mixed opinions from the writers, with one seeing him as a decent back-end pitcher and the other predicting a move to the bullpen.
The Tigers are taking a calculated risk with Anderson, and it will be fascinating to see how it plays out. Their rotation is led by Tarik Skubal, with Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty in support. Anderson will likely compete for the #5 spot in spring training against other talented pitchers like Keider Montero, Troy Melton, Ty Madden, and Sawyer Gipson-Long. The Tigers have also been linked to free agents like Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, and Michael King, so the picture could change before the season begins.
This signing raises some intriguing questions. Will Anderson live up to the Tigers' expectations and secure his spot as a starter? Or will he find himself in a different role? And how will his performance compare to that of Cody Ponce? The baseball world is watching, and the answers will unfold on the diamond.
What are your thoughts on this signing? Do you think Anderson has what it takes to be a successful starter in the big leagues? Share your predictions and opinions in the comments below!
