Tim Anderson signs one-year deal with Miami Marlins
Shortstop Tim Anderson agrees to a $5 million, one-year deal with the Miami Marlins that will see the polemic player try to recapture lightning in a bottle.
Tim Anderson is an enigma wrapped inside a riddle for the 2024 free agency market. When the Chicago White Sox declined a $14 million option for his services, effectively ending their eight-year run, there was a lot of head scratching around MLB over where exactly Anderson fits in.
According to a report by MLB.com’s Christina De Nicola, the Miami Marlins have agreed to a one-year contract with Tim Anderson, pending medical examinations, for $5 million.
Part of the reason that Anderson was such a puzzle is that he has struggle on both offense and defense over the past few seasons. His .582 OPS last season was the lowest in the major leagues and he sat dead last amongst all shortstops for defensive runs saved. Normally a solid .300 hitter, 2023 saw that average drop to .245 while his strikeout rate spiked by 8%.
Anderson only played 123 games in 2023 due to a knee injury and his two consecutive All-Star appearances ended in ignominy.
Known as something of a hothead, Anderson will be remembered in Chicago for his fight with José Ramírez and comparing himself to Jackie Robinson as much as for anything that he did on the field.
Miami hopes that Anderson will regain the form that allowed him to be considered in the 2019 American League MVP voting, when he won the Silver Slugger.
Tim Anderson to be the Marlins’ starting shortstop?
Anderson’s signing and his background do not guarantee him being the Marlins’ starting shortstop. Currently, Miami’s lineup has four other players who can play the left side of middle infield.
For Anderson to take the job, he will have to work his way past veteran Jon Berti, who is about to begin his sixth season in Miami, plus Vidal Bruján and Nick Gordon, and rookie Xavier Edwards.