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Key Takeaways:
- The Yankees are considering Tyler Anderson as a potential addition to their rotation due to his availability and potential to provide quality innings.
- Anderson’s performance has been inconsistent, with alternating good and bad seasons, and he is coming off a disappointing 2025 season.
- Despite concerns about his reverse splits and diminishing velocity, Anderson could be a serviceable option for the Yankees, particularly if they can help him improve his performance.
- Anderson’s contract would likely be a one-year deal, which would minimize the risk for the Yankees.
- The Yankees could use Anderson in a role similar to Ryan Yarbrough, with the potential to provide more quality innings once their injured pitchers return.
Introduction to the Yankees’ Rotation Conundrum
The Yankees are facing a common dilemma in planning for their rotation, with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón expected to return early in the 2026 campaign, but with uncertain timelines. As the team searches for quality innings without creating a logjam, they may consider Tyler Anderson as a viable option. Anderson, who has had an inconsistent career, is coming off a disappointing 2025 season with the Angels, but his availability and potential to provide quality innings make him an attractive choice. As the article notes, "Anderson wouldn’t command a prohibitive contract for a team still looking to spend big elsewhere."
Anderson’s Inconsistent Performance
Anderson’s career has been marked by alternating good and bad seasons, with two All-Star game appearances in the last four campaigns. However, his 2025 season was particularly disappointing, with a 5.60 FIP and a 4.56 ERA. As the article states, "Doing the old Aaron Nola bit of alternating really good seasons with terrible ones, Anderson has found himself in the All-Star game in two of the last four campaigns, once representing the Dodgers and, more recently, the Angels in 2024." Despite these inconsistencies, Anderson’s ability to provide quality innings and his relatively low risk make him an attractive option for the Yankees.
Concerns about Anderson’s Profile
One of the concerns about Anderson’s profile is his reverse splits, which have led to struggles against left-handed batters. As the article notes, "Anderson has reverse splits, nearly shelving that pitch against same-handed batters and suffering without a great plan of attack." Additionally, Anderson’s diminishing velocity is a concern, with his fastball averaging 89.4 mph in 2025, the lowest mark of his career. However, the Yankees may be able to help Anderson improve his performance, particularly if they can address his issues with left-handed batters.
Potential Role with the Yankees
If the Yankees were to sign Anderson, they could use him in a role similar to Ryan Yarbrough, with the potential to provide more quality innings once Cole and Rodón return. As the article states, "If we assume his production will fall reasonably in line with projections, Anderson could be used in a Ryan Yarbrough-esque role with a little more quality than the aforementioned Yarbrough, a member of the Yankees’ bullpen, once Rodón and Cole are healthy and ready to go." This role would allow Anderson to provide value to the team without putting too much pressure on their young arms.
Conclusion and Risk Assessment
Overall, Tyler Anderson is a potential option for the Yankees as they look to fill out their rotation. While he has his inconsistencies and concerns, his availability and potential to provide quality innings make him an attractive choice. As the article notes, "The market is not exactly flush with options, and there’s a downside with most, if not every, target." The Yankees could sign Anderson to a one-year deal, which would minimize the risk and allow them to assess his performance without making a long-term commitment. As the article concludes, "Anderson won’t represent much of a risk for a team that doesn’t want to put too much pressure on its young arms."
https://www.pinstripealley.com/yankees-free-agent-trade-targets/173544/yankees-free-agent-target-tyler-anderson