(Audacy) Perhaps the White Sox's club option on longtime shortstop Tim Anderson is arriving at the ideal time.
Anderson has had an abysmal season, with his caliber of play in a freefall. After hitting north of .300 each of the last four years, Anderson is hitting a mere .238 with a dreadful .568 OPS in 92 games in 2023.
Anderson historically has been the epitome of reliability for Chicago, but his future has never seemed more uncertain as the White Sox hold a $14-million club option on his contract for 2024. The White Sox bringing him back at all, let alone at that price tag, is in doubt, and Audacy MLB insider Jon Heyman believes a change of scenery is coming.
“Well, I do think they have to move on from Tim Anderson at this point," Heyman said on the Mully & Haugh Show on 670 The Score on Monday morning. "It's been a disastrous season obviously on the field. He lost that fight (to Jose Ramirez on Aug. 5), not too good. I mean, they have to move on. They certainly would have traded him if there was any market.
"I do think he’s gonna get a major league deal, one-year deal. He’s been a really good player for years, this year is perhaps an aberration and someone will take a chance and give him a one-year deal at the major league level I’m sure. But I cannot see them bringing him back at this point. It’s time for a change of scenery there."
Anderson’s free agency, if he reaches it, could be an interesting one. There aren't many great shortstops in line to hit the market this offseason, and if Anderson had a typical year, he would headline the group.
Because of the relative dearth of options, Anderson might land more than a prove-it deal. With the way this season has gone though, that’s hardly a guarantee.
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