The Angels should use the blueprint the Braves gave to them when it comes to exploring a Tyler Anderson trade.
The Los Angeles Angels signed Tyler Anderson to provide stability to a rotation that was in need of it. Every sixth day, Anderson was supposed to be the dependable innings eater the Angels relied on to preserve the bullpen and keep them in games. As it happened, Anderson was not at all the pitcher that Angels supporters had anticipated.
The southpaw ended up being one of the worst starting pitchers in all of baseball, not just the weak link in a poor rotation. After 27 appearances (25 starts), he had a 5.43 ERA. The one bright spot from Anderson’s year was his continued general health.
The Angels have no reason to think he’ll be much better in 2024 after his terrible year. Even with how awful this rotation is, Anderson shouldn’t be given a rotation spot. Sure, he can’t be much worse.
In the event that the Angels add another starter, Reid Detmers, Chase Silseth, Patrick Sandoval, and Gryphon Canning should all be in the rotation. This offseason, the Angels ought to try to deal the left-hander. Though it won’t be simple given that he owes $13 million in each of the next two seasons, the Braves’ acquisition of Marco Gonzales proves that it is feasible.
Just before the Winter Meetings, the Braves acquired Marco Gonzales as part of a trade that sent Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta. The focal point of the transaction was Kelenic, who is currently Atlanta’s starting left fielder. The Braves shipped both of the salary throw-ins, Gonzales and Evan White, because they had no intention of keeping them. After being acquired in the trade for David Fletcher and Max Stassi, White is now an Angel.
The Pirates proved to be a quick suitor for Atlanta, as they were willing to take Gonzales in a cap dump. Atlanta sent him to the Pirates in 2024 after paying a portion of his $12 million debt, but they got nothing noteworthy in return. Anderson, the Angels ought to be aiming to accomplish this with their awful contract.
Anderson and Gonzales have comparable profiles. When they are at their best, they are effective innings eaters who can keep their teams competitive every time they take the mound. They don’t have a lot of charisma, but they can pitch well and have good command. Similar to Anderson, Gonzales is coming off a dismal 2023 campaign in which he only managed 10 starts as a result of injuries and posted a 5.22 ERA. It allowed the Braves to cut a portion of his salary.
An Anderson deal can be comparable because starting pitchers are needed by so many teams. Although he has an additional guaranteed year on his contract, his value is essentially the same. It would still be beneficial for the team even if the Angels only paid for one of the two years remaining on his contract. They could avoid a guy who just doesn’t seem good enough, and they would be saving money to add a better arm. Rather than holding out hope that Anderson will change his ways, acknowledge the likelihood that he won’t and leave as soon as you can.
Perry Minasian will have to locate a team that has a spot open in the rotation and pitch Anderson to them, much like the Braves did with Gonzales. even in the event that he has to
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