The Los Angeles Dodgers may soon find themselves in the market for a starting pitcher.
Yesterday, veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson, who went 15-5 and posted a 2.57 ERA for the Dodgers in 2022, became the first major free agent to come off the board, signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Dodgers’ crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Angels.
Anderson had previously rejected the Dodgers’ qualifying offer of $19.65 million.
Needless to say, Dodgers fans are frustrated to see the 32-year-old leave for the Halos.
On Twitter, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic explained what likely drew Anderson to the Angels and why the deal is ultimately better for him.
Tyler Anderson’s deal with the Angels will pay him $13M annually. Dodgers’ qualifying offer obviously was a higher AAV ($19.65M) but without the three years’ security.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) November 16, 2022
Anderson’s Draw To Halos
Ardaya correctly points out that Anderson will only make $13 million per year with the Angels.
However, there is a caveat.
Yes, the Dodgers had a higher yearly total that they were going to pay Anderson, if he had accepted their one-year qualifying offer.
But what likely drew Anderson to the Angels was the fact that the deal is for three years.
Anderson likely rejected the qualifying offer in hopes of landing a multi-year deal after earning his first All-Star nod.
Regardless, the Dodgers are going to need to find a starter to replace him.
The idea of signing Justin Verlander, Jacob deGrom, or Carlos Rodon will be enticing to Dodger fans, and it’s something that the Dodgers would be able to pull off.
In the end, Anderson chose the Angels, likely because they were offering him multiple years.
The Dodgers recently re-signed Clayton Kershaw and may be on the lookout for more pitching.
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