Chase Anderson, Matt Moore intriguing Phillies rotation adds

The Philadelphia Phillies now have decisions to make near the back of the rotation, following the recent free-agent signings of Chase Anderson and Matt Moore. While the club is taking a chance on the veterans, both are poised to add value to the 2021 starting rotation.

Anderson and Moore are looking to rebound from recent career declines and could provide value to a Phillies team that lacked pitching depth last season. Depth will prove to be valuable in the coming season, as pitchers adjust from the 60-game sprint in 2020 to a 162-game marathon.

Anderson, a right-handed pitcher, and Moore, a southpaw, have some similarities in their careers. Both look for their 55th career major-league win. Anderson has a career 4.06 ERA and 1.275 WHIP in 890 2/3 innings pitched, across 176 games, while Moore has a career 4.51 ERA and 1.402 WHIP spanning 894 2/3 frames and 181 contests. Anderson is 33 years old and was drafted in the ninth round of the 2009 MLB draft, while Moore is 31 and was drafted in the eighth round in 2007.

Both new Phillies pitchers had early-career success with their respective teams.

Anderson finished 10th in Rookie of the Year voting with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014, where he posted a 9-7 record, 4.01 ERA and 1.373 WHIP. After a second season in Phoenix, he was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers — where his best season came in his second year with the club. In 2017, Anderson posted a 12-4 record, 2.74 ERA and 1.090 WHIP, while striking out 133 batters, in 25 starts.

The end of his time with the Brewers saw his numbers decline, with a 3.93 ERA in 2018 and a 4.21 ERA in 2019. He did not see any postseason action during the team’s NLCS run in 2018 and Wild Card appearance in 2019.

Anderson is coming off of his worst career season, when in 2020 with the Toronto Blue Jays, he had a 7.22 ERA and 1.634 WHIP in 10 games and seven starts. He started the shortened season on the injured list with an oblique injury, before making his season debut on August 8. A couples of weeks later, the right-hander gave up a pair of runs (one earned) off of four hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings opposite the Joe Girardi-led Phillies. The Jays declined his $9.5 million option for 2021, making him a free agent.

Pros of Phillies mixing in Chase Anderson and Matt Moore into the 2021 rotation.

While the careers of right-hander Chase Anderson and left-hander Matt Moore seem to be trending in the wrong direction, there are a couple of advantages that could help them rebound this coming season in red pinstripes under new Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham.

Neither pitcher has much experience against the National League East, which could help initially, until division opponents get familiar with them. Anderson has a combined 26 games against the Phillies’ four divisional opponents, including only one game last season against the New York Mets, when the Jays played interleague games opposite the National League East. Meanwhile, Moore has a combined 13 games against the Phillies’ divisional opponents.

Given their new rotation depth, there is also the possibility that the Phillies use Anderson and Moore in a “piggyback” situation. The pitchers can share a spot in the rotation and take turns between who starts and who enters in relief. This would take advantage of the number of starters, limit bullpen innings, and frustrate lineups with a move between right-handed pitcher and left-handed pitcher.

This could also be one of the more practical options. Given Anderson’s poor performance last year and the amount of time since Moore’s last MLB experience, limiting their innings could limit the damage if either pitcher struggles during an outing.

While the additions of Anderson and Moore are a bit of a gamble for the Phillies, the two veterans are intriguing additions to the pitching staff and bring a wealth of experience, with similar careers through different journeys.