Could Controversial Brett Anderson Return to Athletics?

Aug 28, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Brett Anderson (49) pitches in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Brett Anderson is now a Free Agent. Could the controversial pitcher return to the Oakland Athletics? Would the A’s even want Brett Anderson back in Oakland?

Brett Anderson was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2006, during the second round of the amateur draft. While pitching in the minors, he was traded in December 2007 to the Oakland Athletics. That trade included Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham, Dana Eveland, Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith for Dan Haren and Connor Robertson. Brett Anderson continued pitching in the minor leagues before making his major league debut on April 10, 2009.

Brett Anderson career pitching stats

Brett Anderson was a top prospect, and once he reached the majors he quickly proved why. After 3 months in the majors, he threw his first career shutout and career complete game. He also threw a career high 9 strikeouts that game. That same month, he also pitched a perfect game through 6 2/3 inning. 2 months later, Brett Anderson broke a team record that had been untouched since 1977. He broke the single-season rookie strikeout record. Despite his dazzling performance as a rookie, he lost out winning Rookie of the Year to fellow Athletic pitcher Andrew Bailey.

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Brett Anderson had established that he was talented, but he quickly proved he was also injury prone. He was placed on the Disabled List in 2011 and required Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound 13 months later and appeared to be in the same top form. His return was brief, however, as another injury placed him back on the Disabled List for the remainder of the regular season.

2009: 30 games started/pitched, 175.1 innings pitched, 4.06 ERA, 1.28 WHIP

2010: 19 games started/pitched, 112.1 innings pitched, 2.80 ERA, 1.19 WHIP

2011: 13 games started/pitched, 83.1 innings pitched, 4.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP

2012: 6 games started/pitched, 35.0 innings pitched, 2.57 ERA, 1.03 WHIP

2013: 5 games started/16 pitched, 44.2 innings pitched, 6.04 ERA, 1.61 WHIP

2014: 8 games started/pitched, 43.1 innings pitched, 2.91 ERA, 1.32 WHIP

Career: 3.73 ERA, 1.29 WHIP

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While healthy, Brett Anderson was a valuable component for the A’s. After the conclusion of the 2013 season, Brett Anderson was traded (with cash) to the Colorado Rockies for Drew Pomeranz and Chris Jensen. Brett Anderson’s time pitching for the Rockies was very short lived. He was traded to the Rockies in December, and in August he suffered an injury which ended his season and required surgery. He made only 8 starts for the Rockies, finishing 1-3. Not surprisingly, the Colorado Rockies declined the team option on Brett Anderson.

The 26-year-old has now had necessary back surgery and has become a Free Agent. It was a natural thought to discuss the potential of him returning to Oakland. I took to Twitter to see how A’s fans felt about Brett Anderson possibly returning to the team, reactions varied.

"Brett Anderson is a free agent…I’d love to hear your thoughts on him possibly returning to Oakland.- Jennifer Trumpp (@JenniferTrumpp) November 1, 2014"

• Um, and is a Rich Harden making a comeback? – @FauxMikeGallego
• but can he stay healthy? – @Linzers09
• Only if the A’s can pay him per appearance since he is SO injury-prone. Otherwise, A’s have way better options than him. – @Jenman27
• I would welcome him back at the right price. – @Sharkfan20
• I wouldn’t just for the fact when he was healthy good 2/3 starter in the rotation…get him on a incentive deal! – @RFWill149
•  Yes!! Love Brett. -@DeaFou
• as long as he gets paid per inning – @NBaldwin13
• I would only like it if we ended up trading Samardzija or Kazmir – @OAK_fan_50
• he’s very talented when healthy and he’ll be cheap. I’d be happy with a one-year deal for about 5 mil. – @mattmcsports27
• NO. Couldn’t stand him, and by all accounts, they couldn’t stand him either. And I won’t even go into how he’s damaged goods – @rfwes
• Very talented but, unfortunately, also very injury prone. I would not be in favor of reacquisition.- @Acbeam
• I’d want it to be incentive-based – @RFEthan148
• If converted to a reliever I could see value there, no real risk and a live arm. As starter, nope. -@FauxMikeGallego
• I bet the right field bleacher crew would have something to say about that… – @ohwatson

@ohwatson is right, there are MANY A’s fans that would be enraged to see Brett Anderson back in green and gold. If you aren’t aware why, here’s an article recapping Brett Anderson’s feelings towards some A’s fans. 

So what do you think? Send me a tweet or leave me a comment below on your thoughts about the possibly of Brett Anderson coming back to the Oakland Athletics.

"Who has 2 thumbs and is a free agent…this guy. -Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) November 1, 2014breaking: FA LHP B. Anderson sprains thumbs tweeting about thumbs. Likely out for 2015 & 2016 seasons. -Mike Gallagher (@gallagwar) November 1, 2014I didn’t but good try… -Brett Anderson (@BAnderson_30) November 1, 2014"