Brian Anderson could follow in Brandon Drury's footsteps by signing with the Reds

Brandon Drury experienced a career-year after signing a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds in 2022. Drury, who had previously played for four other organizations before signing with Cincinnati last spring, slashed .274/.335/.520 in 92 games for the Reds last season.

Drury was a hot name at the trade deadline and was eventually dealt to the San Diego Padres. The 30-year-old was handsomely rewarded with a two-year/$17M contract and will suit up for the Los Angeles Angels next season.

Could infielder Brian Anderson do the same? Anderson was released by the Miami Marlins and is currently a free agent.

Brian Anderson could follow in Brandon Drury's footsteps by signing with the Reds.

Does Brian Anderson fit a need? Not exactly. The Cincinnati Reds have a plethora of infielders and more third basemen than they care to count. But, Anderson does have experience in the outfield as well. The 29-year-old saw 44 games split between right and left field while playing for the Miami Marlins in 2022.

Anderson is also a right-handed hitter. With the lion's share of Cincinnati outfielders hitting from the left side, finding a right-handed bat should be relatively high on Nick Krall's shopping list.

Before last season, Drury had played over 500 major league games with a career slash line of .249/.296/.415 and a career-OPS+ of 84. Drury's OPS+ of 122 last season helped him secure a significant contract with the Los Angeles Angels. Most of Drury's production came while playing for the Reds, who just so happen to play half their games in a very hitter-friendly ballpark.

LoanDepot Park, the Miami Marlins' home stadium, is known to be much more pitcher-friendly. Anderson's career home/ road split's don't necessarily reflect a tremendous difference. But one look at the numbers that Drury posted at Great American Ball Park (.298/.354/.561) should make any free agent looking for a bounce-back year to sign a one-year deal with the Reds this offseason.

Brian Anderson was entering his final year of arbitration before the Marlins cut him loose at the non-tender deadline. Anderson could sign a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds and re-enter free agency with eye toward cashing in the way Brandon Drury did after his lone season in Cincinnati.