I just wanted to know the status of this bug https://fogbugz.unity3d.com/default.asp?938615_mnm3dnlhl0cpv9gk because it slows our team down and we don't want to use any insane workarounds. For those who don't know the details: the animator affects physics simulation even if no actual animation is being played. But the animator contains the animation of Transform. Here is how this looks like Pay attention to amplitude of the yellow hexagon when Animator is enabled/disabled. The project is in the attachment.
Wellp, it appeared to be by design I can't express my strong feelings about this issue and this reply. Since this issue is related to Animator and not Physics I'll try to ask in Animator-related thread.