Former Royals relief pitcher Nick Anderson quickly found a new team after being let go by Kansas City and clearing waivers. He simply waited for a team in need of relief pitchers to pick him up.
Hours later, the Los Angeles Dodgers signed the 33-year-old right-hander, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
The Royals designated Anderson for assignment to make room for newly acquired reliever Hunter Harvey. When Anderson, a seasoned player with five years in the MLB, declined a move to the minors, he was released after clearing waivers on July 20, as reported by MLB insider Bob Nightengale.
Despite a history of injuries, including a significant elbow ligament tear that sidelined him for much of 2021 and 2022, Anderson has shown effectiveness when healthy.
In his debut season in 2019, he performed well with a 3.32 ERA, 1.077 WHIP, and 110 strikeouts in 65 innings. He was named to the All-MLB first team in 2020. After recovering from his elbow injury, Anderson returned to form in 2023 with the Atlanta Braves, recording a 3.06 ERA, 9.2 K/9, and an ERA+ of 145.
While struggling this season with an ERA above 4.00, a 1.402 WHIP, and his career-worst BB/9, Anderson remains available for the league minimum salary as the Royals continue to cover the rest of his $1.575 million contract.
Given his affordability and past success, it was predictable that Anderson wouldn’t stay a free agent for long. True to expectation, the Dodgers signed him on the same day he became available. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic clarified that Anderson joined the Dodgers on a minor league contract, providing the team with additional bullpen options and depth.
Dodgers sign ex-Royals reliever Nick Anderson
The Dodgers’ bullpen has experienced contrasting fortunes this season. Through the end of June, Los Angeles boasted one of the top bullpens in baseball, ranking near the top in ERA, WHIP, and opponent batting average. They also excelled in Win Probability Added (WPA), while maintaining solid control and contributing significantly in terms of wins above replacement (fWAR).
However, starting from June 30 until the All-Star break, the bullpen’s performance declined sharply. During this period, their ERA and walk rate (BB/9) plummeted to 20th or worse in MLB. Specifically, they struggled with opponent batting average (28th), WHIP (29th), WPA (29th), and fWAR (27th).
Despite these challenges, the Dodgers remain in a strong position overall. They currently hold a commanding 17-game lead over the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West and are 17 games above .500. FanGraphs gives them the second-best odds (14.3%) to win the World Series.
However, Los Angeles isn’t complacent. They recently signed Nick Anderson as a first move and are expected to be active in pursuing further upgrades before the trade deadline. The team has expressed interest in acquiring Miami Marlins reliever Tanner Scott and is also looking for a starting pitcher, with Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet on their radar. Additionally, they’ve been linked to White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
Known for making significant moves, the Dodgers have a strong financial position, boasting one of MLB’s highest payrolls and a streak of 11 consecutive postseason appearances. Despite their recent regular season successes, they are determined to secure their first non-COVID-related championship since 1988, underscored by their bold signing of Shohei Ohtani to a record-breaking contract. This commitment demonstrates their resolve to pursue championship glory vigorously.
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