Astros Checking in on LHP Brett Anderson

Lefty starter Brett Anderson has the tools to be a front of the rotation starter, yet it’s his injury history that could make him a low risk, high reward acquisition for Houston. After appearing in 30 games (19 starts) over the past three seasons, Anderson may be a player that is willing to sign a one-year deal to up his value for this time next season. According to Evan Drellich, the Astros have at the very least checked in on the oft-injured lefty.

In 2012, Brett Anderson was, you guessed it, injured for most of the season, making just three starts. Anderson’s claim to fame was game 3 of the 2012 ALDS, with his Oakland Athletics already down two games to none to Detroit, and the southpaw having not pitched in nearly three weeks, he went six innings of two-hit ball, while walking two and striking out six. The 26-year old has a career ERA of 3.73 to go along with a career 27-32 record.

Anderson became a free agent this Winter when the Rockies bought out his contract for $1.5M. FanGraphs is predicting Brett Anderson to receive a one-year, $7M deal this offseason. For me, that is more than I’d like to see the Astros spend on a pitcher that hasn’t proven he can stay healthy. I’d prefer that money is spent on someone else and at a different position.

The Astros are stocked full of talented young players. Some of that talent just happens to be starting pitching. While Mark Appel likely won’t land an Opening Day roster spot, Brett Oberholtzer and Michael Foltynewicz are still options, with Brad Peacock likely ready to join them once he has recovered from his injured back. With Scott Feldman, Collin McHugh and Dallas Keuchel all but guaranteed the top three spots in the rotation, the Astros have the depth to get by without Anderson.

If Brett Anderson is signed in the $2-3M range, which, adding the buyout works out to be $3.5-4.5M for Anderson, then the signing would make some sense. If Anderson is looking for a contract worth the $7M that FanGraphs is predicting, then it would be wise for the Astros to further evaluate their young team at the major league level while they continue to rebuild.