Cubs sign Brett Anderson to 1-year, $3.5 million deal

The Cubs have agreed to sign free-agent lefty Brett Anderson, pending a physical, according to a report from FOX’s Ken Rosenthal. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reports that Anderson will receive a one-year, $3.5 million guarantee on the deal, which could reach $10 million with incentives.

Anderson, who turns 29 on Feb. 1, made only four appearances (three starts) with the Dodgers last season while dealing with back problems throughout the year. According to Rosenthal, the southpaw impressed the Cubs in a recent bullpen session in Arizona, so his health does not appear to be a major concern at this time.

Anderson elected not to hit the open market a year ago, instead accepting a $15.8 million qualifying offer to return to the Dodgers in hopes of being able to land a multi-year deal this winter. Injury issues obviously derailed that possibility, meaning Anderson will once again look to reinvent himself before looking for a big contract next winter.

Anderson posted a solid 10-9 record, 3.69 ERA and 5.8 K/9 in 31 starts for L.A. in 2015, and owns a career 3.86 ERA in eight years with the Athletics, Rockies and Dodgers. He will join Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, John Lackey, Jake Arrieta and Mike Montgomery as a rotation option for Chicago, and will likely battle Montgomery for the fifth spot during spring training.