The Detroit Tigers have officially signed right-hander Drew Anderson as part of their strategic roster move. The deal, reportedly a one-year contract with a club option for 2027, has not disclosed salary specifics.
Drew Anderson’s Career Overview
Anderson, who will turn 32 in March, has experienced a varied career in Major League Baseball (MLB). From 2017 to 2021, he made brief appearances in five consecutive seasons with teams including the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox, and Texas Rangers. Over this period, he accumulated a 6.50 earned run average (ERA) in 44.1 innings pitched.
International Success
For the 2022 season, Anderson moved to Japan, joining the Hiroshima Carp in Nippon Professional Baseball. His performance there was impressive, posting a 3.05 ERA across two seasons. Following this success, he returned to North America, signing a minor league contract with the Tigers in January 2024. However, he did not make the opening day roster and joined the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) by late April.
- 2024 KBO Performance: 115.2 innings, 24 appearances, 3.89 ERA
- 2025 KBO Performance: 171.2 innings, 30 starts, 2.25 ERA
- Strikeout rates: 35.3% in 2025
- Walk rates: 7.3% in 2025
- Ground ball rate: 45.9% in 2025
Competition and Outlook
With his successful track record in Korea, the Tigers expect Anderson to compete for the rotation, specifically targeting the fifth starter position in spring training. The team’s current rotation features Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty.
Anderson will face competition from fellow pitchers including Keider Montero, Troy Melton, Ty Madden, and Sawyer Gipson-Long. As the Tigers navigate their offseason strategy, they have also been linked to free agents such as Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, and Michael King, which could shift their plans leading into spring training.
Conclusion
The signing of Drew Anderson exemplifies the Tigers’ strategy to enhance their starting rotation. As he transitions back to MLB, expectations will be high for him to deliver valuable contributions on the mound.
