The Marlins are among the teams looking into White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The two-time All-Star is in the midst of a down season but could be viewed by some clubs as a buy-low, change of scenery candidate.
That’d be the hope in Miami, where the team’s in-house options at shortstop have also underwhelmed. Marlins shortstops are hitting .258/.301/.335 on the season, with Joey Wendle, Jon Berti, Garrett Hampson and Jacob Amaya all having appeared at the position. Anderson’s .245/.285/.285 line is even worse than that, though he’s hitting .378/.440/.422 since the All-Star Game and .300/.345/.350 overall this month. Beyond that, Anderson has a lengthy track record of excellence at the plate; from 2019-22, he batted .318/.347/.473, leading all qualified hitters in batting average during that time.
Anderson would be a pricey addition by the Marlins’ standards. He’s being paid $12.5MM this season and has a $14MM club option for the 2024 campaign (though a $1MM buyout makes it a net $13MM decision for the team). He’s still owed about $4.5MM of this year’s salary between now and season’s end, plus at least the $1MM option buyout.
Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Miami only has about $38MM on the books — assuming slugger Jorge Soler opts out of the remaining one year and $9MM on his contract. That’s before they pick up a $3.5MM option on Berti and before considering raises for notable arbitration-eligible players. Luis Arraez, Jesus Luzardo, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Tanner Scott, Trevor Rogers and A.J. Puk are among Miami’s arb-eligibles; Arraez, Scott and Luzardo, in particular, will be due notable raises from their respective $6.1MM, $2.825MM and $2.45MM salaries for the 2023 season. Penciling in a $14MM salary for Anderson from the jump would put Miami on track to run a $100MM+ payroll for just the third time in franchise history.
At this stage it’s far from a given that Anderson will end up in Miami — or even that he’ll change hands at all. The White Sox aren’t looking to tear the roster down and embark on another lengthy rebuild but rather are looking to retool to take another shot at contending in 2024. Anderson could well be a part of that, and a big second half would quickly restore the notion that his option is an easy call to exercise. As it stands, it’s a far closer call than anyone would’ve reasonably expected heading into the year.
That said, Chicago’s top prospect, 2021 first-rounder Colson Montgomery, has ripped through minor league pitching since returning from a monthslong stay on the injured list. Montgomery has scarcely played above the High-A level but figures to see ample time in Double-A later this summer. It’s possible he could be ready for a big league look at some point in 2024, and the Sox could always trade Anderson and then sign/acquire a low-cost veteran to bridge the gap to Montgomery this offseason.
The White Sox already traded Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels last night, and as of earlier this month they were reportedly willing to entertain offers on anyone other than the quartet of Dylan Cease, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert Jr. and Andrew Vaughn. The Marlins, meanwhile, got into the trade game yesterday as well when they swapped Dylan Floro for Jorge Lopez in an exchange of struggling relievers.
Benjamin101677
I would really like to see the marlins get a top notch bat and make a run at it. They have good pitching etc
SalaryCapMyth
Then they should ship somewhere else because Anderson isn’t going to do that.
deweybelongsinthehall
Anderson would be a great fit for Boston to plug him in at second.
Augusto Barojas
Anderson has 7 multi hit games out of 11 since the allstar break, like a .370 clip. He can still play, he’s just been unhappy with a terrible and hopeless team. I think he’s playing hard right now in the hopes somebody trades for him, which I hope happens for his sake. I mean the Sox are a bad situation that isn’t going to be better for years.
Spotswood
Nothing speaks to his high character more than, “he’s playing hard right now in the hopes somebody trades for him.”
SalaryCapMyth
I’m sure Anderson has small periods of time you’re talking about peppered all over his career. He’s 30 years old and has been in the majors since he was 23. We can stop expecting him to develop into a star shortstop now.
deweybelongsinthehall
There’s nothing wrong with the Tim Anderson of today. Everything is relative to cost and provided the prospect capital is reasonable, I’d pull the trigger to get him.
holecamels35
One of the worst hitters in the league isn’t it.
rubenrosario
Marlins need to get candelario Anderson and put wendle at second
Arraez
Anderson
Candelario
Soler
It’s a problem
This one belongs to the Reds
Tim Anderson turned loose in Miami. Why do I think that wouldn’t end well?
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Maybe because Avisail Garcia is exhibit A?
Wheeler Dealer
He just needs a change of scenery gotta lotta of baby mama drama over here
Captain-Judge99
Why all this gross disrespect for the Great Jackie?
Strunk Flugget
Please trade him. I’m tired of his ego and I want him out of my city.
Captain-Judge99
Now that’s no way to treat, Jackie!!!
Fred K. Burke
I”ll help pack his bags to expedite the process.
DieSoxWhiteFan
Ah… The old unwritten rules of baseball comment. Call me modern, but I remember when a guy came up through your system was amazing for three years and you sorta were always rooting for him.
I too soured when he would hit home runs and do amazing bat-flips, thinking: run hard to first and stop disrespecting the royal Royals franchise!
Motor City Beach Bum
You need Javier Baez. He’s hitting a little better than Anderson but not much. I thought someone said he has a ranch in Florida? We will take back your last pick from the draft this year, or even a pot of cionch chowder, how about some beach sand andcwe pay the postage?
acoss13
Baez is much more expensive. Tigers would have to eat a lot of that contract if they want to move him.
rct
Baez has four years and $98 million left on his contract. Anderson has a one year team option that can be bought out for $1 million. Big difference.
Kershaw's Lesser Known Right Arm
Don’t the Marlins need defense?
Motor City Beach Bum
Javy actually plays good defence. He just hasn’t been hitting this year, although he is still driving in runs and stealing some bases.
Kershaw's Lesser Known Right Arm
I was referring to Anderson. Yes, Javy is a wizard with the glove
Motor City Beach Bum
My bad. Cheers
DieSoxWhiteFan
Javy’s glove is more than good. It’s when he is able to avoid the slider that you want him
Emilia
The White Sox vastly overvalue Anderson and Sheets. They both need to go.
CluHaywood
I don’t think Anderson is overvalued. He has some self created drama this year for sure. And it’s absolutely affected him at the plate. He has looked to just be gaining through the motions this year until recently.
Sheets is not a Major league player, and hislack of time on a woefully bad team finally shows they realize this.
nrd1138
No I think Sheets lack of playing time shows the woeful coaching on this club. Sheets can clobber the ball but how often has he really been given a chance at 1st on a consistent basis? They put Grandal out there tonight for god sake, not because he is better than Sheets at first (he is definitely not) but because they want his bat in the lineup. I think Sheets can do as well if given the playing time. Instead they put a guy out there in Vaughn who has done nothing now that he is at his ‘natural’ position and keep putting Sheets out in RF where he has no business being. With nothing to play for, Sheets should be put out at 1st every game. If he sucks, fine then move him, or demote him, but at least give him a chance at his natural position (as we have seen what Vaughn hasn’t done there)
Prunella Vulgaris
I. agree. Would like to see Sheets play 1st base the rest of the season.
CluHaywood
Why? What about Sheets’ 219/292/362 qualifies him as ever seeing more playing time, other than being a LH hitter? It doesnt get better when you look at his advanced either. He is not a Major league baseball player.
Atleast Vaughn is 244/314/418. While not much better, his advanced metrics show he has had some bad luck. And most people that know things, IE not armchair GMs, believe this is growing pains with him still.
Spotswood
Because Vaughn looks like an opossum.
Prunella Vulgaris
Sheets hasn’t had a full season. I’m curious to see what he could do with 600 at bats.
I felt the same about Burger.
CluHaywood
Not wrong…
nrd1138
I think orgs stare too hard at the data. I look at a guy like Remillard, 28 finally getting a shot and has played fairly well at the major league level. Lets see what Sheets can do when actually playing on his natural position, We have already have seen Vaughn there and he is nursing a bone bruise. Perfect time to see Sheets at an extended look. At least Sheets has enough stretch to get the errant throws from Moncada and Anderson.
AA_Cardinals
Skip would enjoy having a guy like Tim Anderson on the field each night. A healthy Anderson is great for any team.
CravenMoorehead
Tim’s agent this winter:
Agent: “The fish just called. They’re inquiring about your services and want to sign you to a contract!”
Tim: “Awesome, I really enjoy Miami.”
Agent: “It’s actually the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.”
HatlessPete
TA: Arigato gozaimasu! Hiroshima konichiwa! Ganbatte!
msqboxer
Just doesn’t seem like Miami does deals like this…although teaming him with Arraz at the top of the order would be pretty solid.
Edp007
What happened to the pop in that bat for TA.
Zero? Really
Him Beni at the top of order , in todays game , hurt the Sox big time this year.
DieSoxWhiteFan
TA has always been a bit injury prone, but his legs haven’t been able to stay healthy and sustain power, so he’s just dinking singles. When he can get his hands out and go oppo he will tear up pitching again.
nrd1138
Well I think a major part of the problem on the White Sox is they have a clown show for a conditioning dept. Yeah the player needs to take care of themselves, but its also up to the org to really watchdog that stuff. The White Sox have WAYYYY too many players getting preventable soft tissue injuries on their club.
Robrock30
Marlins need an acquisition like this to spark their roster. With this addition and others they could go far and surprise. I like their pitching depth and athletic young players
solaris602
Kim Ng meeting with stadium vendors at this hour and delivering a Sandy Gallagher caliber rally speech to motivate the troops to sell 50/50 raffle tickets as if their lives depended on it. Gotta raise the cash to afford the $4.5M left on Anderson’s contract PLUS the buyout of his 2024 club option. Make it happen, people!!!!
rct
imo, Marlins have been playing above their heads for most of the season. They’ve come down to earth in the last few weeks. I think they’ll need to add a lot in order to make the playoffs.
baseballhistory
That is a correct evaluation.
King of Cards
Paul DeJong is not starting for the Cardinals tonight. Word is he might be on the move. I think the Marlins are the best fit for him.
Robrock30
DeJong is a huge Met killer lol
Mac Attack
Everyone is a Met killer this year
Robrock30
baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=dejon…
I am referencing his career splits
King of Cards
Put him and Jazz Chisholm together and watch the conservatives around here lose their freaking minds.
SupremeZeus
Red flags everywhere for any team attempting to acquire TA. Hahn will be picking that option up and selling hope again unless he is willing to accept salary relief in return.
Mac Attack
Agreed. They should go after Lindor. He sucks in NY.
Rsox
I really like what the Marlins are doing this season but with that said they need to avoid “modern day Jackie” like the plague
its_happening
They might be better off with a bandaid Paul DeJong who wouldn’t cost them much to get.
Macbeth
Bye, Jackie.
tangerinepony
Jackie playing in Miami. Cant wait to see the marlins slump then
DCartrow
What would the the banished ‘Ace” say about the modern day Michael X coming to his home team?
denny816
Eury Perez and Yiddi Cappe and he’s all yours.
Returnthegame
This would be a long-term move as well for the Marlins. You get him for one more year and people are quick to forget he’s a former batting champion shortstop. Sox should definitely sell, but selling low is unnecessary in 2023.
nottinghamforest13
His ego alongside Jazz’s would be a fantastic combination.
Buzz Killington
Lol that ah duh ma
Mercenary.Freddie.Freeman
Lol Marlins!
Angry Disgruntled Sox Fan
This might be a good fit for the Marlins. Worth the gamble
avenger65
The White Sox: Your one-stop shop for any player making more than $3m/year.
uncle1sock
Jackie?
Out In Center
The last sentence is grammatically wrong. Meanwhile has to come at the start of the sentence, not the end. Can’t separate subject and verb like that.
MarlinsFanBase
Tim Anderson would be a nice fit if we can get him for little in the assets department.
I’m wondering, with both Anderson and Segura having bad years, but both itting better lately, would a package of Segura and a mid-level prospect and another low-level prospect would work for Anderson, especially when considering the money involved. Of course, this would depend on whether the White Sox are in a full rebuild or just restructuring what has failed. They are in a division that any of the 5 teams with a good offseason, can win it next year since it’s the worst division in MLB.
BrianStrowman9
The white Sox want to cut money not take more crap on. Montgomery is their future at the position
denny816
With Anderson having an affordable option for next year (relatively) I doubt the Sox trade him to Marlins without getting Perez or Meyer in return.
soxygen
Or at least 1 Cuban and maybe a tall left-handed pitcher. The Sox have some strange fetishes, and usually take every opportunity to add tall lefties and todos los cubanos.
MarlinsFanBase
@denny816
That’s a joke right? Anderson is not getting anything near Perez, and very unlikely Meyer either…especially in a low value season.
nrd1138
Anderson can go, Its a bit obvious that the infidelity has taken a toll on his performance, but they must have gotten something straightened out there as he has been hitting better as of late, but I think the clubhouse has gotten sick of his (and Im guessing others) antics: Poor fielding, not producing in the clutch (leaves A LOT of guys on base), always hurt lately and with preventable injuries. Yeah I get that’s not really a winning resume for another club. The only thing I think Hahn can sell on Anderson is when he is on he is on, and if not in an enabling environment like the White Sox org maybe he becomes the player he was a few years ago. That and maybe ask for only a bag of slightly used baseballs….