Each offseason, several players who have played in Japan or Korea return to North America, eager to re-establish themselves in Major League Baseball (MLB). Among those, Drew Anderson of the Detroit Tigers stands out in 2026. Previously playing in Asia, Anderson is now a key player and may soon become a potential trade candidate.
Anderson, 32, plays as a pitcher for the Tigers and has shown impressive performance this season. He has a 2-2 record with a 3.62 ERA in 19 games and has struck out 46 batters in 37.1 innings. The Tigers signed him for $7 million in 2026 with a $10 million team option for 2027, which proved to be a sound investment.
After spending time in South Korea’s KBO, Anderson returned to MLB with hopes of bringing strategic experience to the Tigers. He previously played in 19 games for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, and Chicago White Sox between 2017 and 2021. His signing with the Tigers in December was an opportunity to contribute to a team aiming for a deep playoff run after consecutive defeats in the American League Division Series in 2024 and 2025.
In a Zoom interview, Anderson expressed his excitement about returning to MLB and joining the Tigers. He stated, “I was definitely hoping to come back because I really liked the Tigers. I watched them throughout 2024 and 2025, going to the playoffs. I definitely think this year has the potential to progress further into the playoffs.”
The Tigers’ season has not gone as planned. They have lost 21 of their last 25 games and sit at 22-38, the lowest record in the American League. According to FanGraphs, only the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels have poorer playoff odds in the AL.
As the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches, Anderson emerges as an attractive option for teams seeking pitching talent. While he doesn’t match his KBO performance, where he achieved a 12-7 record with a 2.25 ERA and 245 strikeouts over 171.2 innings for the SSG Landers, he remains a valuable player compared to many. Notably, Chicago White Sox’s Anthony Kay, who also returned from Asia, holds a 5-1 record with a 3.77 ERA, providing competition as a standout American-born returnee this year.
If he is traded, Anderson could greatly assist the Tigers in strengthening their lineup for 2027 without significantly impacting their current season’s performance. Should the Tigers maintain their trajectory, they may soon start focusing on the next year’s prospects.
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