LA signs LHPs Anderson, Duffy; Raley traded

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- The Dodgers announced the signing of five-time All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman on a six-year, $162 million deal on Friday. But that wasn’t the only move president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman completed.

Los Angeles signed left-hander Tyler Anderson to a one-year deal, the club announced. The deal is worth $8 million, sources told MLB.com. To make room for Anderson on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers traded outfielder Luke Raley to the Rays in exchange for Minor League right-hander Tanner Dodson.

The Dodgers also announced the signing of left-hander Danny Duffy. He was later placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for Freeman on the 40-man roster. Duffy’s deal is for one year with a club option in 2023.

Of the acquisitions, Anderson is the one expected to make an instant contribution. Anderson gives the Dodgers another option in the starting rotation. Although the Dodgers have David Price and Tony Gonsolin as potential fifth starter options, they have a desire to bolster their rotation depth.

Anderson, 32, split time with the Pirates and Mariners last season. He started 31 games, going 7-11 with a 4.53 ERA. He pitched 167 innings, recording 134 strikeouts to just 38 walks. Over his six-year career, Anderson is 29-38 with a 4.62 ERA and 542 strikeouts.

While Anderson could be in the mix for a rotation spot right away, Duffy won’t be ready until at least June after undergoing left flexor tendon surgery in January. Duffy could return as a starter or as a multi-inning reliever, giving the Dodgers some added depth. He was acquired by the Dodgers from the Royals before the 2021 Trade Deadline, but never appeared in a game as he suffered a setback during his rehab process.

As for Raley, the young outfielder was a victim of a numbers crunch on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. The Dodgers still have a couple of tough decisions to make on the roster before the end of camp, but they needed to clear room in order to add Jimmy Nelson, Duffy and Freeman.

Raley, 27, played in 33 games for the Dodgers last season, hitting .182 with two homers and four RBIs. He hit 19 homers and drove in 69 runs in 72 games at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Dodson, on the other hand, had a strong campaign in the Minors last season. The 24-year-old was originally a two-way prospect in the Rays’ system, but his focus is strictly as a pitcher moving forward. In three seasons at the Minor League level, Dodson is 6-3 with a 3.11 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 98 1/3 innings of work. He was the 71st overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.