The Detroit Tigers have agreed to a one-year Major League contract with right-hander Drew Anderson, pending a physical, after his dominant seasons in Korea. The 31-year-old returns to MLB following a strong performance with the SSG Landers in the KBO. The deal includes a club option for 2027 and gives Anderson a chance to compete for a rotation spot.
Drew Anderson is reuniting with the Detroit Tigers two seasons after his initial spring training stint with the organization. In 2024, Anderson joined as a non-roster invitee following two seasons in Japan. He impressed in Grapefruit League action, striking out 14 batters over eight innings with increased velocity, though he allowed seven runs on nine hits. Assigned to Triple-A Toledo, he appeared in nine games, averaging 95.5 mph on his fastball—three mph faster than his last MLB season in 2021—before requesting his release to pitch in Korea.
With the SSG Landers, Anderson excelled as a starter. In 2024, he posted an 11-3 record with a 3.89 ERA, 158 strikeouts over 115 2/3 innings, and just 98 hits allowed. He returned for 2025, improving to 12-7 with a 2.25 ERA—the third-lowest in the KBO—245 strikeouts, and a .193 batting average against, the best among qualified pitchers. His strikeouts trailed only American Cody Ponce, despite pitching nine fewer innings. Reports indicate a combined 2.25 ERA and 1.00 WHIP over 171 2/3 innings in the KBO.
The agreement, first reported by The Athletic and confirmed by a source to MLB.com, comes as the Tigers seek to bolster their starting rotation. Key members include Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal, All-Star Casey Mize, and Jack Flaherty, but depth is uncertain. Reese Olson missed the second half of 2024 due to a shoulder strain and was rehabbing recently. Troy Melton logged a career-high 129 1/3 innings across levels, while the role of Keider Montero remains undecided. The Tigers have pursued free agents like Michael King, Ranger Suárez, and Zac Gallen, and showed interest in Ryan Helsley and Brad Keller before their signings elsewhere.
Anderson's signing on Friday provides an undervalued option for Detroit's pitching needs this offseason.