Pirates sign veteran Chase Anderson to Minor League deal

According to FanSided's Robert Murray the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed veteran pitcher Chase Anderson to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training

The Pirates reportedly signed right-hander Chase Anderson to a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray.

Anderson’s deal is one of a flurry of similar moves made by Pittsburgh over the past few weeks. First, the Pirates signed Wily Peralta, then Brent Honeywell, and finally Connor Sadzeck and Josh Fleming. All five signings, including Anderson, are Minor League contracts, but given the Pirates’ considerable dearth of starting pitching, at least Peralta and Anderson, the two starters, have a legitimate shot to break camp with the big league team.

Anderson started the 2023 season with the Reds’ Triple-A team in Louisville and was subsequently picked up by Tampa Bay for cash considerations. He made two scoreless appearances for the Rays, both in relief, before being claimed by Colorado off waivers in May. 

The 36-year-old struggled with the Rockies, posting a 5.75 ERA and a 1-6 record over 18 starts. Anderson’s poor results earned him a trip to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he seemed to have found his footing a bit. Anderson’s improved results after returning to the Majors in September provide a modicum of hope for Pirates fans; he had a 3.86 ERA over his final five starts of the season.

Early in his career, Anderson was a decent back of the rotation arm. He had a career year with Milwaukee in 2017, when he posted a 2.74 ERA and racked up 4.2 WAR.

Anderson is a bit of an anomaly. He generally limits hard contact, ranking in the 92nd percentile among qualifying pitchers according to Statcast. However, he is plagued by home runs. He led the league in homers allowed in 2018. He has allowed 1.9 HR/9 over his past three seasons.

At best, Anderson seems to be a stop-gap starter who can cover a few early season games until the young Bucs are ready to hit the big time. At worst, the signing seems like a disappointing distraction from the free-agent rumors surrounding Pittsburgh.