The free agent market will be slow this year, but a slow market might work out in the Royals favor. The Royals are looking for a cost efficient starter, and there are many out there. I believe Brett Anderson could be a good fit for the boys in blue in 2021. Last season, Anderson went 4-4 with the Brewers. He owned a 4.21 ERA in 10 games in 47 innings pitched. Anderson will be heading into his age 33 season. I believe the Royals could sign him to a cheap one-year deal. In 2020, the Brewers paid Anderson $5 million guaranteed. I think the Royals could get him on a cheap contract worth about $3 to $4 million dollars. Unlike the past few seasons, I believe the Royals might be willing to spend a little bit more money on a starting pitcher; however, the Royals do have many players that could see contract extensions in the near future in Hunter Dozier, Jorge Soler, Brad Keller and Adalberto Mondesi. With these potential contract extensions rumors up in the air, they aren’t guaranteed to happen; so, the Royals might be willing to spend a little bit more money on a starting pitcher than they have the past two to three seasons.
I believe Anderson would bring a veteran presence into a pretty youthful rotation in Brady Singer, Brad Keller, and Kris Bubic. I believe Anderson would fill the fifth slot in the rotation making the rotation look like this:
1. Brad Keller
2. Danny Duffy
3. Brady Singer
4. Jakob Junis, Jesse Hahn or Foster Griffin
5. Brett Anderson
The Royals rotation will have two spots up for grabs in spring training. I believe the Royals will choose a fourth starter from inside the organization, while the fifth spot, I think they will sign a free agent like Brett Anderson. I also believe the Royals would benefit by having a second left hander in the rotation. The Royals will be considering many free agent starters this winter, and I believe Anderson should be a pitcher they consider if they aren’t looking to spend too much on a starting pitcher this off-season.
