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 revealed. But here's the intriguing part: the Tigers see Anderson as a potential starter, based on his recent success in Korea.
With a 40-man vacancy, the Tigers don't need to make any immediate roster moves. 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, but his ERA wasn't impressive. However, his overseas ventures have been a different story.
In 2022, Anderson joined the Hiroshima Carp in Japan, where he excelled, posting a 3.05 ERA over two seasons. This performance caught the attention of the Tigers, who signed him to a minor league deal in 2024. Unfortunately, he didn't make the cut initially, but his talent didn't go unnoticed, and he ended up in Korea with the SSG Landers.
His time in Korea was a success, with impressive stats across two seasons. In 2025, he made 30 starts, logged over 170 innings, and had an impressive 2.25 ERA. These numbers are hard to ignore, and the Tigers are taking a chance on Anderson as a starter.
But here's where it gets controversial: Anderson's stats from 2025 are comparable to those of Cody Ponce, who recently signed a three-year, $30MM deal with the Blue Jays. While Ponce's strikeout and walk rates were slightly better, the industry consensus leans towards Ponce being a more valuable asset. FanGraphs even predicted Ponce to be a #4 starter on a good team, earning a similar contract to what he signed.
So, the question arises: are the Tigers taking a calculated risk, or is Anderson being underrated? The Tigers' rotation already includes some solid names like Tarik Skubal, Reese Olson, and Casey Mize. Anderson will be competing for the #5 spot in spring training, and the Tigers might still bring in free agents like Zac Gallen or Ranger Suárez to shake things up.
This signing raises some intriguing questions. Will Anderson prove his worth as a starter? Can he replicate his overseas success in the big leagues? And this is the part most people miss: sometimes, a change of scenery can make all the difference. Anderson's journey is a testament to that.
What do you think? Is Anderson a hidden gem, or are the Tigers taking a leap of faith? Share your thoughts in the comments below! The baseball world is buzzing, and we want to hear your take on this exciting development.
