Chicago Cubs: 3 trade deadline targets to bolster the bullpen
Nick Anderson, RHP, Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins have been in a position to sell for the past few seasons and will most likely remain in that state for a few more years. With the worst record in the National League, they will be looking to liquidate any assets possible come the end of July.
Little do most realize, the Marlins have a gem of a reliever that might be the sneakiest acquisition a team could make this deadline to bolster their bullpen. Even more unique, it’s this player’s first season in the big leagues, and he has adjusted without a sweat.
Nick Anderson is not a household name, yet. Anderson debuted this season after spending four years in the Twins minor league system. This year, he has been nothing short of magnificent and should be fairly well sought after in the trade market.
Anderson is unique in that he is already 29 years old. He started off in the Frontier League and encountered several troubling incidences throughout his life until finding his way into the Twins minor league system.
His hard work and dedication have paid off and translated into head-turning production levels this season. He has posted a 2.69 FIP (16th best in MLB) and 13.98 K/9 (8th best in MLB), all while having a .366 BABIP against.
His 4.10 ERA is due for some positive progression, especially if he were to be acquired by a better defensive team than the Marlins, which shouldn’t be a tall task. His signature ability is missing bats, and he has done it with just two pitches (fastball and slider). The only concern long term is if two pitches will continue to play at this level. However, with the favorable price tag attached to Anderson contractually and if the acquisition price is low enough, he is a high ceiling target to take a bet on.
Chicago Cubs: 3 trade packages with Baltimore Orioles. dark. Next
The Cubs could use another reliever with high strikeout ability, even after the Kimbrel acquisition. Anderson would pair nicely as a middle-leverage reliever that can generate a ton of whiffs. If the Cubs were to acquire Anderson and Carl Edwards Jr./Brandon Morrow are able to return from injury, this bullpen could have a completely new identity heading into the late regular season and postseason.