The Milwaukee Brewers are not usually known for making big splashes in free agency. This offseason’s signing of first baseman Rhys Hoskins was possible because he had missed the entire 2023 season with a torn ACL. Even so, it cost Milwaukee $17 million annually in order to get him. Even then, the second year of his deal is a player option, so there is no guarantee he will be with the Brewers beyond this season.
Instead, the Brewers typically look for bargain-bin free agents that they can use for a year before signing another one or a prospect becomes ready for a Major League promotion. Many times, these are veteran players who may have once been near an All-Star level of play, but have declined in recent seasons. In signing them, the Brewers hope they can capture a bit of lightning in a bottle as they have the potential to play like they did before.
In recent seasons, players like Andrew McCutchen, Avisail Garcia, and Gary Sanchez this year have fit that mold. Most only spend a year in Milwaukee before moving on, as was the case for former third baseman Brian Anderson.
Brian Anderson Hoped to Resurrect His Career with the Milwaukee Brewers

There was a time when Brian Anderson was considered a solid third baseman for the Miami Marlins. In 2018 and 2019 (his first two full seasons in the Major Leagues), Anderson hit .268/.350/.480 and averaged 16 home runs and 66 RBI a season.
In the COVID-19 shortened 2020 season, Anderson played in 59 out of 60 games, hitting .255/.345/.465 with 11 home runs and 38 RBI. Unfortunately, that was his last healthy season to date in the Big Leagues.
The next two seasons, though, saw Anderson battle both injuries and a drop in production. From 2021-22, he missed 159 games and hit just .233/.322/.359 with 15 total home runs and 56 total RBI.
Anderson hoped that signing with the Brewers would be the change of scenery that he needed to get back on track. Unfortunately, he struggled in Milwaukee as well, with both production and injuries. In 96 games with the Brewers, he hit .226/.310/.368 with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
Milwaukee chose not to re-sign him after the season.
Former Milwaukee Brewers Third Baseman Brian Anderson Signs with the Atlanta Braves

After he was not re-signed by Milwaukee, Anderson signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. With Triple-A Tacoma, he was hitting .270/.358/.439 with six home runs and 28 RBI in 42 games. Part of his contract had an opt-out clause in which he could ask to be released if he had not made the Major League roster by a given point in the season.
Anderson exercised this clause and released on June 1.
According to MLB Trade Rumors, he has now signed a Major League deal with the Atlanta Braves:
“The Braves have signed veteran third baseman/corner outfielder Brian Anderson to a major league contract, reports Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Anderson, a CAA client, will be in uniform for tonight’s game. He opted out of a minor league deal with the Mariners over the weekend. Atlanta transferred lefty Tyler Matzek from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list to open a spot on the roster for Anderson.”
Anderson is familiar with the the NL East division as he spent the first six years of his career in Miami. Hopefully this will be the chance he needs to get his Major League career back on track.
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