Brian Anderson

Anderson re-tore an elbow ligament when rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in late June. His career is very much in doubt now as a result.

The good news for Anderson is he's only 34. The bad news is that he's not going to return from Tommy John surgery until June. Even when healthy, Anderson has been one of the most hittable pitchers in the majors for the past two seasons. Pitching nearly 200 innings over 2004 and 2005, he has allowed 256 hits and 40 home runs while walking 57 and striking out 87. He signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, so if and when he does come back, it could be in an unfavorable park, to boot.

Opening Day was a sign of things to come for Anderson, who allowed five runs and a pair of home runs to Chicago before the Kansas City bats took him off of the hook in a 9-7 win. The bats weren’t enough to offset Anderson’s horrific season, which saw his ERA remain above 7.00 into July. Often a slow starter – with a 5.35 ERA before the All-Star game the past three seasons and a 3.94 ERA afterward – Anderson’s struggles in April and May squashed his confidence and forced a move to the bullpen by late May. He rebounded and returned to his career form in September, which the Royals hope is a sign for a rebound in 2005 since he was signed to a two-year deal in November 2003.

One of the best pitchers in the majors late last season, Anderson went 8-2 with wins over the Twins and twice against the White Sox. The Royals didn't end up winning the Central, but it wasn't because of anything Anderson failed to do. The Royals re-signed him in hopes he can repeat that run. His ERA might have been artificially low, given his declining K:BB ratio.

Anderson's fantasy value would be maximized if he were signed by a club that offered decent run support and would install him in the number four of five spot in their rotation, in a park that favored left-handed pitching. If all those planets align themselves properly, Anderson could deliver 12 wins and a 4.00 ERA. He signed with Cleveland, diminishing the likelihood of him getting those 12 wins.