Editorials

Dodgers Officially Sign Left-Hander Brett Anderson

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Part of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ busy offseason has included a lengthy period of time between deals being reported and them becoming official. The Matt Kemp trade dragged on for one week before the Dodgers and San Diego Padres completed the trade

Though it didn’t come with as much drama or suspense, the signing of Brett Anderson, first reported on Dec. 15 took longer than the Kemp trade to be made official as the Dodgers at last announced Wednesday morning they signed the left-hander to a one-year deal.



Like Brandon McCarthy, Anderson’s career has been one filled with injuries, but he also proves a low-risk, high-reward signing. Anderson made just eight starts last season with the Colorado Rockies and finished 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 43 innings.

Prior to joining the Rockies, Anderson spent five seasons with the Oakland Athletics. His time with the A’s organization overlaps with Farhan Zaidi also being there, which may have played a role in the Dodgers’ decision to sign the 26 year old.

In his six-year career, Anderson has only surpassed 20 starts in a season once — his rookie campaign in 2009 when he went 11-11 with a 4.06 ERA in 30 starts. Since that point, his number of starts declined each year before he made 16 in 2013.

Anderson is a career 27-32 with three saves and a 3.73 ERA in 92 games (81 starts) and figures to slot in as the Dodgers’ fifth starter.

In order to clear room on the 40-man roster for Anderson, the Dodgers designated Erisbel Arruebarrena for assignment. Arruebarrena appeared in 22 games last season, primarily serving as a defensive replacement.

Should Arruebarrena clear waivers, he can be assigned to Triple-A, where he played 26 games in 2014. Other potential outcomes for the young infielder include being traded or released. If he’s not part of the Dodgers next season, he would mark the fourth infielder that saw time in 2014 who is no longer with the team (Dee Gordon, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Rojas).

The Dodgers signed Arruebarrena last offseason to a five-year, $25 million contract.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

2 Comments

  1. If someone claims Arruebarrena, they have to take on the $25 mil. contract, correct? If so, I’d say there’s a good chance he clears waivers.

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