LAS VEGAS – The Athletics are looking to improve their bullpen this offseason, and they made their first move to address that need on Wednesday by agreeing to terms with veteran right-hander Nick Anderson on a Minor League contract, a source told MLB.com. The deal, which is worth $1 million if he makes the big league club, includes an invite to Major League Spring Training.
The A’s have not confirmed the deal yet.
Anderson, 35, appeared in 12 games for the Rockies in 2025, allowing 10 runs in 14 2/3 innings. Most of his time was spent at Triple-A with three organizations, starting out the year in the Mariners’ system, then joining the Cardinals’ Triple-A club before ending with Colorado.
His best years came prior to undergoing elbow surgery in 2021. A late-bloomer who did not make his Major League debut until age 28, Anderson made a combined 87 appearances for the Marlins and Rays from 2019-20 and posted a 2.77 ERA with 136 strikeouts and 21 walks in 81 1/3 innings. He also recorded seven saves over that stretch. Post-surgery, Anderson posted a 3.06 ERA in 35 games for the Braves in 2023 and a 4.04 ERA in 37 appearances for the Royals in ‘24.
Earlier on Wednesday afternoon, A’s general manager David Forst said “it would be nice” to add a reliever with closing experience. The A’s will undoubtedly look to add beyond Anderson, but he does fit that description with 10 career saves and a 3.43 ERA in 177 games across six big league seasons and a fastball that can still consistently reach the mid-90s. He will enter Spring Training looking to compete for a spot in an A’s bullpen that saw relievers such as Michael Kelly, Tyler Ferguson, Elvis Alvarado, Hogan Harris and Justin Sterner emerge as solid late-inning options.