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Projection systems may love the Brewers’ pitching depth already, but you can never have too many arms — especially in a year where many pitchers may struggle to pitch as many innings as they have in years past.
That’s why it always made sense for the Brewers to bring back Brett Anderson for the right price, and with the veteran lefty’s market never really materializing in a long, cold offseason for many free agents, a predictable reunion is now close to being official, according to The Athletic. According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan
Source: Brett Anderson in agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers on a one-year deal. First: @Ken_Rosenthal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) February 16, 2021
Left-hander Brett Anderson and the Milwaukee Brewers are in agreement on a one-year, $2.5 million contract, pending physical, a source familiar with the deal tells ESPN. Anderson, 33, returns to Brewers and can make an addition $1M in incentives. @Ken_Rosenthal first linked them.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) February 16, 2021
Anderson was solid if unspectacular during the shortened 2020 season — at least when he was able to pitch. Knocked out of the rotation a couple times by flukey injuries, he finished the year with a 4.21 ERA that outperformed his peripheral stats, as it typically does.
Anderson figures to benefit from improved defense this year, with Lorenzo Cain returning to center field and Kolten Wong taking over at second base.