Not much went right on the South Side this year, including a miserable season for longtime shortstop Tim Anderson. No qualified player in baseball finished with a lower wRC+ than Anderson’s total of 60, as he hit only .245/.286/.296 over 524 plate appearances — a stunning dropoff from player who’d posted a 123 wRC+ from 2019-22.
The timing couldn’t have been much worse for Anderson to have a down year, as 2023 was the last guaranteed season of the six-year, $25MM extension he signed back in March 2017. The contract came with a pair of club option years, with the 2024 option worth $12.5MM (with a $1MM buyout). That makes for a tricky decision for the White Sox, as paying an extra $11.5MM is steep for a player coming off a sub-replacement season.
“All I can do is understand whatever process it is and live with it,” Anderson told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. “It’s not my decision if I want to stay or leave. I just have to hang with them. I mean I would love to [stay], but I understand if I don’t fit into what they are trying to do.”
An early-season knee sprain resulted in three weeks on the injured list, and Anderson said “the body felt different each day” after he returned. This partially explains his rough season, but heading into 2024, Anderson said he plans to be fully healthy and to sharpen all aspects of his game, both on offense and defense. This might even include a new defensive position altogether, as Anderson admitted that it might be time for a move across the middle infield if necessary.
“Really, at this point, it doesn’t matter. I’m a shortstop/second baseman,” Anderson said. “It’s whatever to allow my career to keep going. I’m not going to wrestle with a team that I’m this or I’m that. It’s just an honor and a blessing to fit in any lineup as a starter considering how hard this game is. Short would be my first choice, but I also understand how older guys are viewed, now that I’m stepping into that phase, which sucks and is different. I just want to continue to keep building on what I started and get back to what I used to be.”
Public defensive metrics have been down on Anderson’s glovework for each of the last two seasons, so beyond adding positional versatility to his resume, it also might make more sense from a pure baseball perspective for Anderson to explore a move to second base. The 30-year-old had exclusively played as a shortstop at the MLB level before this season, when he made two appearances at second base in order to help manage a minor shoulder issue.
Colson Montgomery is also a shortstop, as well as Chicago’s top prospect and ranked by MLB Pipeline as the 17th-best minor leaguer in the sport. Montgomery hit well in his first taste of Double-A ball and should be in line to make his big league debut at some point in 2024, if all continues to go well for the 22nd overall pick of the 2021 draft. If Montgomery might be the shortstop of the future, Anderson moving over to second base while still working as a mentor to the rookie would seem like an interesting possible scenario for the White Sox. As well, it isn’t as if the Sox are deep in second-base options, as Chicago second baseman combined for a -0-4 bWAR in 2023.
Anderson and new White Sox GM Chris Getz spoke earlier this week, and while Anderson didn’t get into specifics about their conversation, “his ultimate goal is really trying to fix what’s going on here. And I get that.” Speaking with reporters prior to talking with Anderson this week, Getz said no decision had yet been made about the infielder’s club option, since the topic “deserves an exhaustive discussion because of what he has meant to this organization.”
He should be willing to move his head more and not drop his hands when a haymaker punch comes his way
The title read “I’mma bout to go to sleep” for a reason?….
Note to Tim: More “we”s than “I”s would make you a better fit if you’d like to stay in Chicago.
Idk this feels like a bit of a reach here. If he’s asked about the direction of his own career why shouldn’t he respond with I statements? Since it’s not really up to him whether he plays for Chicago next year what can he really say other than what he did? Seems like he’s saying he’s willing to take whatever role he is asked and while he might not be saying it using we statements I’d say he’s expressing we sentiments.
TA saying he felt different everyday is not a reason, it’s a lame excuse. And of all the players you would want mentoring a young prospect, he has got to be at the bottom of the list. That he might try to mentor Montgomery is a very good reason to jettison him from the team.
First off, I think you’re projecting when u say ta is using his physical state as an excuse. It’s not unheard of for guys to have lingering effects, mechanical disruptions etc after an injury and it’s certainly common for players to try and play through physical issues and limitations. Funny how some players are praised for that while others aren’t.
Point me to the quote where ta actually says he is planning to mentor Montgomery and speaking of that as a reason the sox should bring him back. That was all the author’s speculation.
Definitely resign Anderson
Cashman is salivating @thought of adding T. Anderson to yankee family, gonna overpay em n slide em over to 3rd
Lol I very much doubt cash is going to sign ta for real money if he hits the market at all which is not a given. If the yanks signed him on a minor league deal or as a low cost bounceback play/releasable bench depth I’d be fine with it honestly
He’s says he wants to stay in Chicago? Help build he says…
Let’s see if he’s means that. Turn down his option, and offer him 1 year at $850K to resign.
I could see them exercising the option and then trading him; taking on some of his salary to get a mid level prospect.
Wouldn’t mind Seattle taking a look at him for 2nd, and I think the prospect cost shouldn’t be as high as you would think in a trade scenario. Wouldn’t mind us signing him for a 1-2 year maybe incentive option prove it deal if he gets declined.
Jerry stopped reading at “taking on…”
Yeah Jerry would rather bring in a PTBNL than a mid-level prospect if the difference is paying some salary or no salary.
He has no trade value. At this point the White Sox would have to take back a bad contract in its entirety to trade Anderson
@Rsox
-Tim Anderson to LAA for Tyler Anderson?
-LAA takes a flier to shore up the middle infield.
– White Sox get a veteran who can eat some innings while their younger arms work their way up. Tyler Anderson could rebound and become a trade chip, too.
Thoughts?
The white Sox can just cut bait for a million bucks. Tyler Anderson costs an extra $13.5MM. I don’t see any reason for them to do that even if the Angels paid the salary down.
@guilder
I don’t know whether he’d (Tim Anderson) play though, They’ve got the youth movement in Zach Neto at SS, Rengifo who is still under control for two more seasons and UT as Brandon Drury who has another year of contract and is cheaper than Anderson. Obvious they’ll hope for a healthy Rendon to return at 3B
Finally – they’ve just lost Ohtani and will need pitching themselves – unless they want to lose two years at $13 million on Anderson’s contract who is generally a healthy 4th or 5th starter.
However, God alone knows what Arte will want…
Tim Anderson won’t ‘shore up’ anyone’s IF. He’s a defensive and clubhouse liability. If you want to trade him, I can’t even think of bad contracts doing the job.
Tough call. I’m always attracted to bounce-back candidates. He isn’t that old (30) and has had some good seasons. Arguing against this:
* His reputation has both good and bad in it. I’d need to be convinced that the bad side is in the past.
* Even if his skills recover, I question his health. He hasn’t played more than 123 games since 2018. You’d have to have an incentive-heavy contract, or better yet, a team option for 2025.
Depends. If they are about the same build Jerry might do it and save a fortune on uniforms…
Swap for Javy Baez and get a decent minorleague pitcher on top since Javy’s contract is wayyy longer and worse. At least Javy’s defense was good this year.
Baez is not good for a rebuilding team. But, I don’t want Tim Anderson in his place either.
Aw man, I hope not. TA7 was fun a few years ago but he is not the same player anymore. Rojas is better on both sides of the ball.
I like Rojas! Hey, maybe TA will never get back to above league average production at the plate. I’m not one to throw in the towel on a hitter after a bad year.
Rojas as a clubhouse guy is what the White Sox need,too.
Why not? Jackie was a 2B too.
Hey we found Josh Donaldsons burner account. How’s your sixth team in six years working out Josh? Guess Aaron Judge wasn’t so keen on sharing a clubhouse with a racist from Alabama, eh?
I’m sure Jackie Robinson is very proud that his struggles to break the color barrier lead to his name being considered a racial slur by some.
Burner account? I guess dumpster diving Theo wasn’t so keen on being called that after breaking two curses? Seems accurate, I’m gonna run with it… anyone got a megaphone?
Racist for reiterating a stupid, moronic comment from an egotistical jackass like Anderson? Donaldson was pointing out Anderson’s arrogance and stupidity. And drop that ‘racist’ crap. Most overused, overplayed word in the English language. Nowadays, if you don’t like Corn Flakes, you’re a racist.
Not really. Americans really are just that racist. If anything, it should be talked about far more than it is.
The “Jackie” thing wasn’t racist. I don’t know if Donaldson is but I don’t see any racism in his jab… but saying that racism doesn’t exist in America is just dumb. You might not experience it but many of us (including myself) see it every day. Back to baseball.
Not even close. You clearly have never left the country that jas given you your right to be ignorant. Millions risk death to get here every year.
JPS
Two things can both be true
Millions of people can risk their lives to come to the US and racism can be a big problem in the US
Not knowing that would be…ignorant
RE MP:
Don’t think I need to read any more of their “thoughts” on racism
Muted
Racism will always exist everywhere. I never said this wasn’t a great country worth dying for. You’re the ignorant one here.
Then let’s be fair and address both sides of the racism thing. Example: Adam Jones. Calling out fans for allegedly calling him racial slurs in more than one city and then referring to baseball as “a white man’s game”. Imagine the backlash if Jerry West or Dirk Nowitzki called basketball a “black man’s game”?
Nobody’s picking sides. In fact I said the “Jackie” thing wasn’t racist. All I said was this guys a dope for saying it doesn’t exist.
The way I see it, accusing other races of being racists is itself a racist act.
Every race has racists, including against us high and mighty whites, I’ve experienced it myself. I regret even saying anything to hurt you little buttercup rednecks. Better, sweetie pies? Back to baseball.
racism can be a big problem in the US
=============================
It isn’t isn’t. Kids today don’t really care, and it’s been that way for a while.
The only thing holding back African-Americans is the urban public school systems. Give the AA’s school choice and they would do a lot better.
As a Londoner @Joe Brady – the same lack of opportunity goes on here. It’s depressing in the extreme and a waste of talent. Thank you for your balanced comment….
Peter in London
And I’ve just been moderated for a small four letter word, so God knows well this response will appear. Apologies to the moderator…
They wouldn’t, because it was invented by a white Canadian. Baseball was also invented by white people and there are fewer and fewer black players in the game. So Jones is correct here and you don’t understand how racism works.
I can’t tell you how many of my comments they’ve moderated for no apparent reason.
@JoeBrady gets it.
Perfect troll response DDT
I hope other people get this.
hf
Yeah…muted
Does anything with the White Sox really matter at this point? Bless those fanboys that will buy into the next “Rebuild.” 6 years of my life I cant get back.
Wow… this is so historically accurate
We’re just going to see what this new front office does. I don’t think the ChiSox need a complete rebuild. There’s some very good pieces in place…. as well as misfits.
Does he want to play there becasue of Jackie Robinson?
Waiting for him to go on a rant about how he’ll be a better 2B than JR.
Guy’s washed up so don’t pick up the option.
Yeah, I’d imagine he’d be open to 2B. Or DH. Or pinch hitter. Or anything that lets him stay on the 26 man roster for an MLB club…
I bet he’s willing to do anything for some team to overpay him. Who knows maybe he will end up on the independent leagues next year.
I hope the good guys pay him $1M to play 2B with another team.
-2 WAR this season.
-3 WAR actually because getting KO’d counts against WAR by 1.
More than likely moving to a minor league deal with whatever team is willing to take on his toxic personality and disappearing game.
With the lack of options in FA, someone will give him a major league deal.
You are probably right about that. A one year, make good deal for $4-5 million?
Is he willing to play in triple a for another team? I’m willing to play second base in the majors also!
Headcase. Goodbye.
Is he willing to hit and be humble? Moving to 2B is only a small part of his issues.
Guarantee he ends up on the Marlins. Don’t know why, just see it in my head. Or maybe the Dodgers and of course he has a complete turnaround
According to many of your inane assertions on this thread alone, you seem to see lots in your head that doesn’t jibe with reality.
I smell inbred
Honestly if I knew it was going to hurt your wittle feewings so bad I’d have done it sooner. Cry more.
“See it in my head” – are you seeing things? Funny way to phrase it lol
Hadn’t had my coffee yet. Good luck in the postseason.
Thanks. If Tex lasts more than 2, it will be a miracle tbh.
I wouldn’t count them out so easily. Would help if deGrom was healthy and Scherzer a few years younger but their Pythagorean w/l record was like 105 wins. They’re a good team.
Also – why the hell are they batting Jung 8th? Dudes a stud
He has been slumping. I’m not sure why 1) Garver isn’t in the lineup 2) why Grossman is 3rd, and 3) how Carter isn’t leadoff
Bochy is weird, but he once got results.
Reminds me of Showalter not starting Alvarez until he forced his hand by mashing his way in. I don’t think the Rays are a bad matchup for you guys in a best of 3. Anything could happen in 3 baseball games it’s almost absurd to have a best of 3 playoff series
sfes
Doesn’t seem like you understand the concept of “guarantee”
It was sarcasm. But still, I hadn’t had my coffee yet.
The free agent market is pretty thin at SS this year. Sox internal options are not great, at least to start. Makes an interesting decision but suspect the Sox pick up that option and hope for a bounce back, then when/if Montgomery is ready they can move him to second. This free agent market is so thin at SS that as a Tigers fan, I want Javier Baez to opt IN!. He and Anderson both are better bounce back candidates than anyone not named Amed Rosario.
Iunless he shows he’s turned a corner, I’d rather the Tigers go young and throw Eddys Leonard out there and sit Javy on the bench as a high priced backup. He can play 2b, SS and 3b and his defense is good.
I’m not for Javier Baez exercising his option in Detroit. He’s not a good fit there. Hell sit on the bench most games.
You’re bang on that there are not many options right now though.
Tim’s attitude is a bigger problem than his baseball and fighting skills. He’s a bad teammate and in Chicago he’s pretty much considered a punk. The “I can call myself Jackie but don’t you call me Jackie” is just idiotic. They become a better team without him no matter what his production is in 2024
His exit velocity was horrible for the last month. Every ball in play seemed like a weak infield grounder. And as far as TA mentoring Montgomery, that’s ridiculous. TA doesn’t know fundamentals and he’s not a leader. He is the only player suspended in 4 consecutive seasons. He’s had dust ups with opponents, fans, and umpires.
Plus he’s had personal issues with his off field antics. Why or how could he mentor anyone?
Tim Anderson’s off field issues and being thrusted into being the face of the team. was just to much for him and obviously something he can’t handle. Moving to 2B might just be the right move and take some pressure off him while still increasing his trade market value in 2024. The CWS are going to be in the running for any serious FA’s given the turmoil the organization is in and only will be able to sign someone if the can Gridol and sign a real manager to change the culture of this team.
Who in their right mind would want him to mentor their top prospect. Is he going to show them all the wrong things to do. How to be a cancerous Prima Donna
I love how this has opened the door for stupid people to claim racism. He is a terrible player and a terrible person. But, because he is dark skinned, it’s racist to suggest anything else than him being a great person. What a load of crap.
Bc people like to react to quotes taken out of context for face value and lack perspective that there may be nuances to a bigger picture.
Agreed. Not as many people will look further into something. They see something and immediately decide it’s bad, instead of digging deeper.
I could DEFINATELY see the M’s signing him this offseason. I think put in a situation where he plays at 2nd with a gold glove infield he could really thrive and rebuild value. Throw in a trade for a good RF and a DH (Ohtani *cough cough*) and we are actually competing for a championship rather than a WC.
Don’t do it Jackie!
I think the best he can hope for is that the team comes to him with a proposition to buy him out and re-sign him to a lower rate. Give him the $1M buyout and re-sign him to $1M w/ a $1M buyout on a $5M club option or something and then try to trade him to a team who is willing to risk the upside for a virtually league minimum salaried player.
If Tim isn’t worth $14 million as a shortstop, he sure isn’t worth $14 million to play second base. I would think if the White Sox go cheap, which I’m sure they will, they’d be better off signing Elvis Andrus for a fraction of the money. It’s time to move on from Tim Anderson for a number of reasons. He seems like an old 30.
TA is not known for his defense, not known for his hustle, not known for being a leader, can’t stay on the field. His offense is erratic and his so called range is overrated. That’s a lot of money for an incomplete player. I vote to move on.
Anderson – Donaldson bout 4charity w/Odor – Bautista undercard
Less likely to get punched there?
Can’t wait to watch him play for the Savannah Bananas next year!
I am so disappointed about how I see people talking about this player, although I don’t expect much more from the dumpster fire of a comments section on this site. The guy has literally said here “It’s just an honor and a blessing to fit in any lineup as a starter considering how hard this game is,” and I don’t think given what he’s contributed to the club before this season that there’s much reason to doubt him, when the entire White Sox organisation is broken from top to bottom. When you see this team play day in and day out it is clear that the correct field management and coaching staff is not in place to set standards and yet it’s TA that constantly gets abused by fans. He has had moments where he hasn’t covered himself in glory but there is really no reason for the club not to move him to 2nd and see if he can recapture value – either for a future trade or to re-establish himself as a team leader for the future. There’s absolutely no point paying the buyout to lose him for nothing.
The problem is the side stuff, the constant injuries (though a player diving at Anderson’s knee this season was not Anderson’s fault) and his whole apparent infidelity (which appeared to also affect his bat), then the topper being that whole shove the ump out of the way, put up the dukes and start a fight that you look silly in, THEN go on twitter to rant about it, eventually apologizing about the whole thing WAY late….. My guess is others in the org and locker room feel the same way about his actions..
Tim said this…”I also understand how older guys are viewed, now that I’m stepping into that phase, which sucks and is different. I just want to continue to keep building on what I started”
I fixed it for him…
“I also understand I’m not good a clubhouse guy. I was one of the worst defensive shortstops in all of MLB. I’m terrible offensively. I’m injured a lot. I’ve got a big mouth and I’ve got an inflated opinion of myself. I understand why the White Sox would turn down the option. With all the issues on/off the field, I understand why fans around MLB would have a really bad opinion of me.”
Tim is willing to move to 2nd now because he knows his market will be virtually non-existent, especially after his antics with Jose Ramirez. I mean this was a ‘contract year’ and see how well he performed. I liked Anderson once, defended his glove for many seasons, but enough is enough. He and his act can go be a detraction somewhere else, as the White Sox have enough problem children without Anderson being one of them.
I get that Montgomery may not be ready next season, but lets face it, little is likely going to change with a GM, that was in the last failed regime, keeping a manager who only figured out this team needed leadership after 2/3 of the season was over and a former player called it out. These two things mean that A) The Sox will not get anyone who wants to win on this club next season in the FA market, and B) Anyone that does appear will be coming here for a vacation and just to pickup a check. Not holding my breath for this team to be competitive at all next year.
“I’m willing to play second base (on a terrible team).” What a team player! For $11M…
Tim is awesome.