In case you don’t remember, left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson was the first high-profile free agent to sign with a team.
The Los Angeles Angels snagged him from the Los Angeles Dodgers on a three-year deal worth $39 million.
It was a much-needed move by the Angels, who moved quickly to show the soon-to-be-departing (or not?) Shohei Ohtani that they are serious about putting together a winning team.
After a long offseason of rest and training, Anderson is ready to take the ball for his first start of spring training.
Tyler Anderson will make his first spring start on Friday against his old team, the Dodgers.
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) March 1, 2023
His opponent?
The Dodgers.
The Dodgers were a blessing for Anderson’s career.
Outside of a 3.54-ERA showing in limited action during the 2016 campaign, Anderson’s ERA was never lower than 4.37 in any season until last year.
He came to the Dodgers on a one-year deal to prove himself.
He achieved that and more, and scored a $39 million contract for his efforts.
Last season, the southpaw accumulated a 2.57 ERA in 178.2 frames.
From a run-prevention standpoint, he was elite.
It will be up to the Angels to keep giving him the tools he needs to remain successful for the duration of his contract.
Anderson is certainly not a strikeout artist (he punched out “just” 138 hitters last year) but has a deep repotoire, good command, and knows how to pitch.
He probably won’t be your typical ace, but the Angels are going to benefit from having a pitcher like him.
With Anderson on the staff, LA will have another weapon to try and limit some of the hardest American League offenses, such as the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners.
NEXT: Anthony Rendon Gives Angels Fans An Early Spring Highlight
