Brett Anderson returns to Oakland A’s
MESA, Ariz. — Back in the A’s fold after his oneyear deal became official, Brett Anderson is already lobbying for another pitcher from last year’s squad to return to the club.
Looking for a place to work out this offseason as he went through free agency, Anderson linked up with Edwin Jackson at the EXOS performance center in Scottsdale. The two actually had a lot in common last season, both bouncing back from a bad season with a solid 2018 in Oakland.
Jackson remains unsigned after going 6-3 with a 3.33 ERA in 17 starts with the A’s last year. What could be of even more value in a return to this year’s club would be his 16-year big league experience to serve as guidance for the many young pitchers competing for a roster spot this spring.
“I would for sure sign off on that,” Anderson said of a potential reunion with Jackson. “He’s one of the best veteran presences I’ve been around and was a good pitcher for us last year. I have nothing but positive things to say about him and hopefully he comes back
and gets a job.”
Though the free agent market has been rough for many, Anderson is actually happier with the way it played out for him this year than last. The left-hander lasted deep into March last spring before coming back to the A’s and even then it was only on a minor league deal.
Anderson’s deal this year is a major league contract for $1.5 million, with incentives that could earn him another $1 million.
“It was better than the
last offseason,” Anderson said. “I get to go to spring training and good enough to come to the big league field this time. It’s always nice to be with a team and a team I’m familiar with.”
Anderson, 31, went 4-5 with a 4.48 ERA in 17 starts last season. It was admittedly an up and down year for him. As has often been the case throughout his 10 big league seasons, injuries affected his performance.
“It’s the same thing every year, just trying to stay healthy. I had some good spurts and bad spurts. For the most part, when I was able to go out there I felt I gave the team a chance to
win, especially with the way bullpens are now.”
With the special type of year the A’s went through in 2018, massively surpassing expectations with 97 wins and a playoff appearance, manager Bob Melvin is glad to see the club trying to keep as much of that group intact as it can.
“When you have the type of team with the success that we had and the clubhouse we had, you want to try to get as many guys,” Melvin said. “Anybody that was here last year we welcome back with open arms and he pitched some good games with us.”
Anderson joins Mike Fiers and Marco Estrada as veterans
of the rotation, with Jesus Luzardo and other younger pitchers looking to earn a spot. Given that he and Luzardo are both lefthanders, the chance for a potential mentorship is there, but Anderson doesn’t think the kid will need too much of his advice.
“We pitch completely differently, maybe like back in the day when I was 21 and threw hard,” Anderson said. “Hopefully he doesn’t have to pitch like how I do now. You can always talk about experiences and different things, try to relay some of that stuff. But I think if he continues on the track he’s on, he’ll be fine.”