The Milwaukee Breweries they aren’t usually known for making huge splashes in free agency. The offseason signing of first baseman Rhys Hoskins was made possible because he missed the entire 2023 season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. Still, it cost Milwaukee $17 million a year to acquire him. Even then, the second year of his contract will be a player option, so there is no guarantee he will remain with the Brewers beyond this season.
Instead, the Brewers typically look for free agents they can apply for a year before they sign another or the prospect is ready to move up to the Major League. These are often veterans who once could have played at an All-Star level, but their level has dropped off in recent seasons. By signing this contract, the Brewers hope they can capture a bit of lightning in a bottle as they have the potential to play like they did before.
In recent seasons, players like Andrew McCutchen, Avisail Garcia and Gary Sanchez have fit into that mold this year. Most of them only spend a year in Milwaukee before moving on, as was the case with former third baseman Brian Anderson.
Brian Anderson was hoping to resurrect his career with the Milwaukee Brewers
There was a time when Brian Anderson was considered a solid third baseman for the Miami Marlins. In 2018 and 2019 (his first two full seasons in the major leagues), Anderson hit .268/.350/.480 and averaged 16 home runs and 66 RBIs per season.
During the Covid-19-shortened 2020 season, Anderson played in 59 of 60 games, hitting .255/.345/.465 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Unfortunately, it was his last vigorous season in the Big League.
However, over the next two seasons, Anderson struggled with injuries and sinking production. He missed 159 games in 2021-22 and hit just .233/.322/.359 with a total of 15 home runs and 56 RBI.
Anderson hoped that signing with the Brewers would be the change of scenery he needed to get back on track. Unfortunately, he also had production and injury issues in Milwaukee. In 96 games for the Brewers, he hit .226/.310/.368 with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
Milwaukee chose not to re-sign him after the season.
Former Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Brian Anderson signs with the Atlanta Braves
After not being re-signed by Milwaukee, Anderson signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. With Triple-A Tacoma, he hit .270/.358/.439 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 42 games. Part of his contract included an opt-out clause where he could request a waiver if he was not on the Major League roster at a given point in the season.
Anderson exercised this clause and was released on June 1.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, he has now signed a Major League contract with the Atlanta Braves:
“The Braves have signed a veteran third baseman/corner outfielder Brian Anderson to a valid league contract, reports Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Anderson, a CAA client, will be in uniform for tonight’s game. He opted out of his minor league contract with the Mariners over the weekend. Atlanta moved to a left-hander Tyler Matz from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list to open up a roster spot for Anderson.”
Anderson is familiar with the NL East division because he spent the first six years of his career in Miami. Hopefully, this will be a chance for him to get his Major League career back on track.
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