It wasn't a surprise to see the Angels move on from former Atlanta starter Ian Anderson on Thursday. The decision to move on showed how little investment the team had in a pitcher that simply isn't missing many bats right now. It is hard to explain what exactly happened to the career of the promising young pitcher. Three seasons ago, Anderson was looked at as a clear long-term answer in the Atlanta rotation. This wasn't a small sample size either, with Anderson pitching at an incredibly high level through two postseason runs. When the lights were the brightest, Anderson performed on the biggest stage.
With this in mind, it is possible that there is still something left in the tank for the former Brave. Whether it is adjusting his mechanics or simply an issue of confidence, it is hard to believe Anderson's talent has completely disappeared. While the stats are screaming this is the case, Atlanta should give the starter another chance, reuniting only weeks after trading the veteran away.
Angels Designate Ian Anderson For Assignment https://t.co/we86uA2zEL pic.twitter.com/rdrras4i6O
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) April 23, 2025
Considering the Braves are currently without Spencer Strider and Reynaldo Lopez, it isn't completely off the board. Anderson could work his way into a second chance. This would require starting at the minor league level and showing pointed improvement. If Anderson is willing to do this, there simply isn't a reason not to give the pitcher one more shot at working his way back into Atlanta's plans.
The Braves' lack of starting depth is the main reason this move should be a consideration. After Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, and Spencer Strider, what exactly Atlanta should expect moving forward is a mystery. Bryce Elder is coming off his best start in more than two seasons, giving hope that Atlanta has found surprise production. Still, there simply isn't a downside to reuniting with Anderson and giving the starter another chance.
Yes, it is unlikely anything we've seen this season drastically changes from Anderson. However, the Braves owe it to themselves and the former starter one last chance at finding the form that had the Braves believing Anderson would be a cog in Atlanta's rotation for years to come.