The rich got richer on Friday. The Los Angeles Dodgers added depth to their starting rotation days after inking Freddie Freeman by signing LHP Tyler Anderson to a one-year, $8 million dollar deal, per Bob Nightengale.
Los Angeles already features an elite pitching rotation with Walker Buehler, Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, and Tony Gonsolin in the mix. But the Dodgers are known for seeking depth regardless of who is already on the team. They do this in all areas on the roster as well. Gavin Lux is a quality baseball player and he very well may be coming off of the bench with the current state of the infield.
But Anderson might earn a spot in the starting rotation with the Dodgers. The aforementioned four starting pitchers are likely locks for the rotation, with the exception of Gonsolin who could also be a bullpen option. But the Dodgers find themselves with at least one open spot given the uncertainty around Trevor Bauer's status and with Dustin May still recovering from Tommy John surgery. And although Tyler Anderson may not be the most marketable name in baseball, the southpaw is no slouch either.
Despite posting an underwhelming 4.53 ERA between Pittsburgh and Seattle in 2021, he was able to strikeout 134 batters compared to just 38 walks. Additionally, he worked 167 innings on the mound. Anderson's ability to work fairly deep into games is a product of his low base on balls totals. The signing makes sense for the Dodgers because it comes in the form of a low-risk, high award-scenario.
At worst, Tyler Anderson is a guy who gives up some runs but limits walks and saves the bullpen. But there is also a chance that he posts an ERA in the mid-3's and increases his strikeout numbers while providing LA with a quality number five option in the rotation.
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