Miami Marlins DFA Tim Anderson

Major League Baseball fans vividly remember the magical night in 2021 when Tim Anderson, in the first Field of Dreams Game, hit a walk off home run against the New York Yankees, capping one of the most memorable celebrations of recent years for the Chicago White Sox. That night, Anderson lived one of his most glorious moments, in a unique game played in a cornfield, evoking the very essence of the iconic film that has marked generations.

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However, those glory days appear to have long faded in Anderson’s career. The Miami Marlins, who signed him as their big acquisition last offseason with a $5 million one-year contract, have decided to designate him for assignment.

In 65 games with the Marlins, Anderson hit .214, with no home runs and only nine RBIs. He accumulated 68 strikeouts and only seven walks.

In contrast, Anderson had won the American League batting title in 2019 with a .335 average and was an All-Star selection in 2021 and 2022. During his years with the White Sox, from 2016 to 2023, Anderson posted a .282 average with 98 home runs, 338 RBIs and 117 stolen bases in 895 games.

Promising Start

Anderson made his major league debut in June 2016 with the White Sox. On June 21, he hit his first home run at Fenway Park against Clay Buchholz, helping his team to a 3-1 victory. He quickly established himself as the starting shortstop, leading to the release of veteran Jimmy Rollins.

In his rookie season, Anderson played in 99 games, batting .283 with 9 home runs and 30 RBIs, scoring 57 runs. Despite his good numbers, his lack of patience at the plate was evident, with only 13 walks compared to 117 strikeouts, a problem that would persist throughout his career. Still, the White Sox bet on his talent and offered him a six-year contract worth $25 million before the 2017 season.

Just two years ago, Anderson referred to himself as the new Jackie Robinson, leading to a much-publicised spat with Josh Donaldson. Then he got into a brawl with Jose Ramirez that saw Anderson take a clean right hook and go down. In the last two years, those two fights were the highlights of Tim Anderson’s time in MLB. A prodigious fall from grace.

Outstanding Achievements

The Current Challenge

Despite his impressive record, the Marlins believe Anderson's shine has diminished. Now he faces the difficult task of rediscovering the form that once made him one of Major League Baseball's most promising stars. The question is whether he can rise from his ashes and offer more unforgettable moments like the one he provided in that magical Field of Dreams Game.