Milwaukee Brewers trade Chase Anderson to Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays acquired Chase Anderson from the Milwaukee Brewers for Chad Spanberger

In the first real “notable” deal of the offseason, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired starting pitcher Chase Anderson from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for 1B/OF Chad Spanberger on Monday.

Anderson has an option for $8.5 million that needed to be picked up today along with an option for $9.5 million for 2021 with a $500,000 buyout. The Blue Jays, needing reliable starting pitching help, will certainly pick up the option, and they’ll be on the hook for at least the buyout for 2021, making this a $9 million transaction for them.

While saving $9 million at the major league level is an obvious move, getting back Spanberger could turn out to be more valuable than a simple throw-in to balance the deal. Spanberger was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 2017 draft after a career at the University of Arkansas where he was used sparingly until exploded for 20 home runs in his draft year.

He made a big impression in his pro debut with Grand Junction in the Pioneer League, hitting 19 home runs with a .294/.368/.617 line in 60 games. He was hitting well in the bat-friendly Asheville environment in 2018, clubbing 22 home runs (with 16 stolen bases) while slashing .315/.363/.579 over 92 games, before being traded along with infielder Forrest Wall to the Blue Jays for reliever Seunghwan Oh at the 2018 deadline. He struggled with the Jays after the deadline.

Spanberger’s 2019 season with AA New Hampshire was a struggle, as he slashed .237/.308/.399 with 13 home runs. He did transition from first base to the outfield, receiving a few mentions of at least an above-average arm from his time in the outfield. At the plate, Spanberger’s uppercut, power-oriented swing generated nearly 45% ground balls in 2019, which was a significant source of his struggles.

With the way he picked up the outfield and his late-blooming arrival in college, Spanberger could be one to track, but he’s likely a 40 FV prospect without accessing his power better.