The MLB offseason hasn’t been going on for long, but dominos are already falling. Effective earlier today, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Chase Anderson from the Milwaukee Brewers.
In exchange for the services of Anderson, Milwaukee will receive Double-A first baseman Chad Spanberger. Anderson racked up a 4.21 ERA and 4.83 FIP in 2019, and is set to earn an $8.5 million club option. The 31-year-old has another club option worth $9.5 million along with a $500,000 buyout set for 2021.
Strengthening the Rotation
Whether he ends up on the starting rotation or in a bullpen role, Anderson is just what the Blue Jays need. As they try to build their team back up, a sturdy pitching staff is needed, and that’s exactly what Anderson brings. Anderson has logged at least 25 starts and 139 innings across each of the past five seasons.
He joins a Toronto pitching staff that ranked 24th overall in total innings pitched (711.1) and ranked seventh-worst in WAR among starters (7.2). Anderson’s presence will bring a significant boost in helping a starting rotation that was third-worst in left-on-base percentage (67.6 percent). Anderson left his stamp in that department with a mark of 76.1 percent.
Anderson should fair out pretty well in Toronto. He doesn’t seem to give up a whole lot of hits, averaging just under five hits allowed per game. On the flip side, Anderson’s 1.38 HR/9 average since 2017 brings question marks into the fold.
He will now join a tentative collection that includes Trent Thornton, Ryan Borucki, and Matt Shoemaker.
A Win-Win
While Toronto picks up a solid option in Anderson, the Brewers get to unload a chunk of their salary. 2019 saw the Brew Crew sport a record-high payroll of roughly $125 million. They are in dire need of trimming things up while figuring out a way to keep powerhouse bats like Mike Moustakas, Yasmani Grandal, and not to mention NL reliever of the year, Josh Hader.
The Return for Milwaukee
This type of trade is slowly becoming a staple for the Brewers. A similar trade was made involving a right-hander for an up and coming first baseman. Last time that included Adam Lind, who produced a slash line of .277/.360/.460, along with 20 home runs and 87 RBI for the Brewers back in 2015.
This time around, the Brewers pick up the services of Spanberger. The 24-year-old posted a .707 OPS in 480 plate appearances while at New Hampshire. Spanberger has posted a .850 OPS with a .504 slugging percentage through his five minor league seasons.
While this is a significant move for both the Brewers and the Blue Jays, it will undoubtedly be just one of many made throughout the offseason.
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