The Detroit Tigers are rolling the dice on a pitcher who's proven himself abroad after a rocky MLB past – is this the hidden gem that could bolster their rotation, or just another long shot?
Exciting news for Tigers fans: the team has struck a deal with right-handed pitcher Drew Anderson. According to Ken Rosenthal from The Athletic, it's a one-year contract that includes a club option for 2027. Details on the salary remain under wraps for now, but this move signals Detroit's interest in adding depth to their pitching staff. As Cody Stavenhagen, also of The Athletic, points out, the Tigers envision Anderson stepping in as a starter, much like his role over the last couple of seasons in Korea's professional league. Conveniently, the Tigers have an open spot on their 40-man roster, so no immediate roster shuffling is required to accommodate him.
Turning 32 in March, Anderson has had a nomadic career in the majors not too long ago. From 2017 through 2021, he earned short stints with the Phillies, White Sox, and Rangers across five consecutive seasons. In those limited appearances, totaling just 44 1/3 innings, he struggled with a 6.50 ERA – that's earned run average, a key stat measuring how many runs a pitcher allows per nine innings, with lower numbers being better for obvious reasons.
Seeking better opportunities, Anderson headed overseas in 2022, signing with the Hiroshima Carp in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), a highly competitive league known for developing talent that sometimes transitions back to MLB. He thrived there, maintaining a solid 3.05 ERA over two years, which showcased his ability to command the strike zone and keep hitters off balance. Buoyed by that success, he aimed to return to North American baseball. In January 2024, the Tigers offered him a minor league contract as a chance to prove himself. Unfortunately, he didn't crack the Opening Day roster and soon found himself pitching for the SSG Landers in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), another top-tier Asian league that's become a popular proving ground for pitchers honing their skills.
Anderson's inaugural season in Korea was promising. In 24 outings, he logged 115 2/3 innings with a respectable 3.89 ERA. While his walk rate – the percentage of batters he issued free passes to – sat at a somewhat elevated 10.7%, he excelled in striking out 31.9% of opponents, showing his swing-and-miss stuff. Additionally, he induced ground balls on 45.8% of balls put in play, which is valuable for pitchers as it can lead to double plays and limit extra-base hits, helping to keep runs off the board.
The Landers saw enough potential to bring him back for 2025, and Anderson elevated his game even further. This year, he made 30 starts, throwing an impressive 171 2/3 innings while posting a stellar 2.25 ERA. His strikeout rate jumped to 35.3%, walks dropped to a crisp 7.3%, and his ground ball rate held steady at 45.9%. For beginners, think of this as a pitcher who's not just effective but durable, handling a full workload without breaking down – a rare trait in today's game.
But here's where it gets interesting: over the past few days, several teams have inked deals with players returning from international leagues, highlighting a growing trend of mining talent from Asia. The Astros, for instance, signed Ryan Weiss – who'd been dominating in Korea – to a one-year, $2.6 million major league contract. Meanwhile, the White Sox handed Anthony Kay, fresh from Japan, a more lucrative two-year, $12 million pact. And the Blue Jays went all-in, finalizing a three-year, $30 million agreement with Cody Ponce, another standout from overseas.
And this is the part most people miss: Anderson's 2025 stats stack up remarkably close to Ponce's in several key metrics. Ponce edged him out with a 36.2% strikeout rate and a 5.9% walk rate, while his 45.7% ground ball rate was nearly identical to Anderson's. Ponce's ERA of 1.89 was a tad better, but the similarities are striking. Yet, despite the numbers, the baseball world sees a clear divide. Industry experts often rate players not just on stats but on 'stuff' – the quality of their pitches, velocity, movement, and overall arsenal.
To put it in perspective, a FanGraphs analysis by Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan described Ponce as a reliable No. 4 starter on a contending team, projecting him for a $20-25 million deal over two years – pretty spot-on with what he got. For Anderson, opinions were split: one scout viewed him as a solid back-end starter, while the other predicted a shift to the bullpen. This discrepancy raises eyebrows – could the Tigers be overvaluing Anderson's raw numbers at the expense of his underlying arsenal, or is this a classic case of sleeping on an under-the-radar talent? It's a bold bet either way, especially since financial details are still secret, but Detroit clearly believes he can translate his KBO success to the majors as a starter.
Looking ahead, the Tigers' rotation is anchored by ace Tarik Skubal, with promising arms like Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty providing strong support. Anderson will likely vie for the fifth starter role come spring training, battling it out with prospects such as Keider Montero, Troy Melton, Ty Madden, and Sawyer Gipson-Long. These young hurlers represent the Tigers' future, but adding a veteran like Anderson brings experience and competition to the mix. And keep an eye on the rumor mill – Detroit has been linked to big free agents like Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, and Michael King, which could reshape the entire staff before camp begins. For fans new to roster building, this competition ensures only the best make the cut, pushing everyone to perform.
Photo courtesy of Junfu Han, Imagn Images
What do you think – is Anderson poised for a MLB resurgence, or will his past struggles prove too much to overcome? Share your takes in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're optimistic about this signing or if you see it as a risky move. Let's discuss!
