Colorado Rockies Trade for A’s Brett Anderson

The Colorado Rockies bolstered their starting staff in acquiring Brett Anderson from the Oakland A’s.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Pitching in Coors Field can be kind of a bummer. Not sure that will bother LHP Brett Anderson.

"“It’s good to be wanted,” Anderson said. “I am looking forward to this. It sounds corny, but I love baseball too much to be hurt. I believe I can be one of the better starting pitchers.”– via Troy Renck of The Denver Post"

Anderson is heading to Denver to hurl for the Colorado Rockies as he was acquired from the Oakland A’s in exchange for LHP Drew Pomeranz and Chris Jensen.

[REACTION: Colorado | Oakland]

After appearing in 30 games his rookie season (all starts), Anderson has shown in 54 games (43 starts) over the past four seasons. Last season was the first time Anderson ever appeared as a reliever at the MLB level. He made a total of 11 relief appearances while finishing four games. He also made five starts.

To say that Anderson has had his fill of injuries during his five-year career would be an understatement.

2010: Landed on the disabled list twice, both times for left elbow inflammation
2011: After 13 starts in 2011, placed on the DL with left elbow soreness. He would later need Tommy John surgery.
2012: As Anderson was returning from TJ, he suffered an oblique strain. He would return to gain a start in the Game 3 of the NLDS against the Detroit Tigers (a win).
2013: A sprained ankle would sideline Anderson. It was later discovered that he had suffered a stress fracture.

Anderson departs from Oakland with a record of 26-29, an ERA of 3.81 and a WHIP of 1.283 in 450.2 innings (84 games, 73 starts). But when he’s “right”, he’s “right”.

Oakland receives a once highly-touted prospect in Pomeranz. Previous to the 2012 season, Baseball America ranked him as their #30 prospect. The Rox had acquired Pomeranz in the deal which sent Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland. He posted nice minor league numbers (16-9, 2.97 ERA, 1.277 WHIP in 46 games), but has struggled in the bigs (4-14, 5.20 ERA, 1.544 WHIP in 34 games). This past season, Pomeranz struggled with his control in posting a 7.9 BB/9. His triple slash against was .301/.433/.518 for 2013.

Jensen reached the A+ level last season and appeared in 28 games (all starts), pitching in 152.1 innings. He posted a 5-8 record to go along with his ERA of 4.55 and WHIP of 1.313.