Blue Jays Pick-up Lars Anderson off Waivers

March 26, 2012; Clearwater, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Lars Anderson (62) catches the ball at first in the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Bright House Networks Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY SportsIt seems only fitting that on the day that the Toronto Blue Jays first meet up with the Boston Red Sox that they claim one of Boston’s former top prospects off waivers. Toronto added first baseman Lars Anderson on Monday, claiming the left-handed hitter off waivers from the Chicago White Sox.

The Blue Jays announced the move through an official release on Monday.

Anderson, who was once 17th (2009) on Baseball America’s annual list of top prospects, has been on the move quite a bit in the last year. The Red Sox, who failed to trade him in 2011 in the aborted deal with Oakland for Rich Harden, sent him to Cleveland in exchange for knuckle-baller Steven Wright at the 2012 trade deadline. He was then flipped to Arizona this winter in the three-way deal with the Reds that sent Shin-Soo Choo to Cincinnati and Trevor Bauer to Cleveland. The White Sox then added Anderson by claiming him off waivers from the Diamondbacks on February 1st.

The 25-year-old has had limited exposure in the Major Leagues, appearing in just 30 games across 3 seasons, all with the Red Sox. He owns a .167 career batting average with 14 strike-outs in 48 at-bats. Anderson is a .272 career hitter in the minor leagues, with 76 home runs, 415 RBI, and a .801 OPS over 6 seasons. However, his power never developed as forecast and he has never been able to position himself for a Major League role.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays have moved pitcher Kyle Drabek to the 60-day disabled list. Drabek underwent his second Tommy John surgery last season and will not be available until later in the summer.