Hold onto your hats, baseball fans, because the Detroit Tigers are making a bold move that could reshape their starting rotation! The Tigers have inked a deal with right-hander Drew Anderson, a journeyman pitcher who’s been turning heads overseas. But here’s where it gets intriguing: Anderson’s path back to the majors hasn’t been a straight line—and his future role is sparking some heated debates. Let’s dive into the details.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Tigers and Anderson have agreed to a one-year contract with a club option for 2027. While the financial terms remain under wraps, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports that the Tigers view Anderson as a potential starter—a role he’s thrived in during his recent stint in Korea. With a 40-man roster vacancy, the Tigers won’t need to make any corresponding moves, making this a low-risk, high-reward gamble.
Anderson, who turns 32 in March, is no stranger to the big leagues. He bounced around from 2017 to 2021, pitching for the Phillies, White Sox, and Rangers, but struggled with a 6.50 ERA over 44 1/3 innings. Seeking a fresh start, he headed overseas in 2022, joining Japan’s Hiroshima Carp. There, he found his groove, posting a solid 3.05 ERA over two seasons. After a brief return to North America with the Tigers’ minor league system in 2024, he landed in Korea with the SSG Landers, where he’s been nothing short of impressive.
In 2024, Anderson tossed 115 2/3 innings with a 3.89 ERA, striking out 31.9% of batters and inducing ground balls on 45.8% of balls in play. His 2025 campaign was even more dominant: 171 2/3 innings, a 2.25 ERA, a 35.3% strikeout rate, and a 45.9% ground ball rate. These numbers have the Tigers betting he can translate that success back to the majors.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Anderson truly a starter-caliber pitcher, or is he better suited for a bullpen role? His stats in Korea are impressive, but the competition level isn’t the same as MLB. For context, compare him to Cody Ponce, another pitcher returning from Asia who just signed a three-year, $30MM deal with the Blue Jays. While Anderson’s 2025 numbers were close to Ponce’s in some areas, Ponce’s 1.89 ERA and slightly better strikeout and walk rates have analysts pegging him as a clear #4 starter. Anderson? Not so clear. Eric Longenhagen and James Fegan of FanGraphs were split, with one seeing him as a back-end starter and the other predicting a bullpen future.
And this is the part most people miss: The Tigers’ rotation is already crowded. Tarik Skubal leads the pack, with Reese Olson, Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty rounding out the top four. Anderson will likely compete for the #5 spot against prospects like Keider Montero, Troy Melton, Ty Madden, and Sawyer Gipson-Long. But with Detroit linked to free agents like Zac Gallen, Ranger Suárez, and Michael King, the rotation could look very different by spring training.
So, is this a savvy move or a risky gamble? The Tigers are betting Anderson’s overseas success will translate, but only time will tell. What do you think? Can Anderson hack it as a big league starter, or is he destined for the bullpen? Let us know in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
