After being designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, right-handed reliever Chase Anderson cleared waivers on Thursday. He was outrighted to Triple-A Worcester but declined the option. It is expected that the 36-year-old will now become a free agent, according to MassLive’s Chris Cotillo. That makes Anderson eligible to sign with any team interested in him.
Source: Chase Anderson cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA. Declined that assignment and is expected to hit free agency.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) August 1, 2024
Veteran Red Sox Reliever Chooses Free Agency Over Minors
Anderson was originally signed by Boston in March on a one-year, $1.25 million deal. He appeared in 27 games for the Red Sox, starting once and pitching 52 innings. Anderson posted a 1.25 WHIP but struggled to limit opponents fully. He had a 4.85 ERA and 35 strikeouts in 2024. Anderson recorded a 7.71 ERA in six July outings. He took the loss in his final appearance for Boston, allowing two earned runs against the New York Yankees on Saturday.
Colorado outlasts Boston to win 9-8 in 12 innings.#Rockies Ezequiel Tovar with the walk-off single against Chase Anderson. pic.twitter.com/Gg13b4EAkI
— Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) July 23, 2024
After having a rocky start with a 5.52 ERA in April, Anderson rebounded with stronger months of May and June. He had just a 3.21 ERA in May and allowed just 11 hits in 14 innings. June was a similar month, as Anderson lowered his season ERA to 4.22. Two rough outings against the Yankees in July, including a five-run mishap at the beginning of the month, set the veteran back. Anderson consistently pitched multiple innings for the Red Sox, throwing more than a frame 16 times.
Anderson was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth round of the 2009 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2014 as a starter. Anderson then headed to the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016. He recorded the best season of his career with the organization in 2017, ending with a 2.74 ERA in 25 starts. After leaving Milwaukee in 2019, he had stops with the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, and Colorado Rockies. His 2024 campaign with Boston was the first time in his major league career where he was used mostly out of the bullpen. In 245 games, Anderson has a total ERA of 4.37 and a 7.7 career WAR.
What Effect Does Anderson’s Departure Have On The Red Sox?
The departure of Anderson took away from the overall depth of Boston’s pitching staff, but the Red Sox did a good job of making up for it. The club traded for James Paxton, who spent 2023 with Boston, from the Los Angeles Dodgers to join the rotation. The Red Sox then acquired Lucas Sims from the Reds, Quinn Priester from the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Luis García from the Los Angeles Angels. Sims and García will both immediately factor into Boston’s relief options. Priester, a 23-year-old right-hander, is a former first round pick. He was sent to Triple-A on Tuesday and should impact the Red Sox rotation in the future.
Main Photo Credits: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
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