Chicago Cubs release LHP Brett Anderson

The Chicago Cubs have released starting pitcher Brett Anderson, who they designated for assignment July 26th.

If it was not the case already, it is now: Brett Anderson’s days with the Chicago Cubs are officially over. The Cubs released Anderson, 29, just a week after designating him for assignment.

One should view Anderson’s tenure with the Cubs as a failed experiment and nothing else. Although his one-year contract was worth at least $3.5 million, the Cubs included numerous “prove it” incentives as well.

Anderson did not prove much in six starts with the Cubs, going 2-2 with an 8.18 ERA. $3.5 million is a hefty price to pay for just 22 innings pitched. However, the Cubs decision to provide incentives in Anderson’s contract turned out to be a good one.

Low-risk, high-reward contract pays off for Cubs

Had he made 29 starts this season, Anderson’s contract could have been worth $10 million. Essentially, the deal was a low-risk, high-reward move for the Cubs; $10 million would have been a small price to pay for a 5th starter that made 29+ starts.

Instead, signing Anderson was a swing and miss; now, Cubs will move on from a failed, albeit small investment. Luckily for Anderson, though, is the fact that he is now healthy.

With two months left in the MLB regular season, there are 29 other teams that could need a veteran starting pitcher. Although Anderson struggled with the Cubs, there is still a great chance that he can find success with another team. One of those 29 teams would have to take a chance on Anderson like the Cubs did, however.

Next shot could be last for Anderson

Unfortunately for Anderson, professional athletes only get so many chances to prove their worth and ability to perform at the highest level. By next season, Anderson will be 30-years-old with a history of injury problems.

Anderson has pitched in just ten games (nine starts) since the 2016 season, for what it is worth. Based on how things have gone for him, his next chance could be his last chance to pitch at the MLB level.

Anderson deserves one more chance, at the very least, to pitch in the MLB. Although he most likely will never be an ace, one has to think he can pitch as a capable fifth starter for some team. It will be time to put up or shut up if a team signs him, though, with his MLB career being the stakes.

Next: Rizzo slugs his way into Cubs record books