CHICAGO (670 The Score) – White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson’s future with the organization remains unclear, and general manager Chris Getz admitted his status is the biggest subplot for the club to address this offseason.
"We have the obvious situation with what are going to do with TA,” Getz said Tuesday when asked about the biggest decision the team faces this offseason. “He has meant so much to this organization and has been an impactful player. We are going to have discussions on what the best step forward for the White Sox is.”
The White Sox hold a $14-million team option on the 30-year-old Anderson for the 2024 season. Anderson has struggled mightily in 2023, hitting .248 with one homer, 25 RBIs and a .590 OPS in 120 games. He has dealt with injuries each of the past two seasons, and his All-Star form of 2021 and the first half of the 2022 season has dropped off significantly as the team has also disappointed.
The White Sox have held internal discussions about the viability of Anderson continuing as a shortstop or whether moving him to second base or even the outfield would be best for all parties.
“It must be discussed and deserves an exhaustive discussion because of what he has meant to this organization,” Getz said about Anderson’s contractual option.
Finding out how Anderson would feel about permanently moving positions is also something the White Sox need to learn.
“TA is very talented,” Getz said. “He could possibly play a lot of different positions on the diamond. Unfortunately, you have not seen the consistency we have seen in the past. There is still plenty of life left in his game that we feel he can be a productive major league player. Injuries have impacted him, but all and all, he has been frustrated by the production. We know he is capable of doing more. It's a matter of when and how it is going to come up.”
Getz was also asked about what he expects the White Sox’s usual exit meeting at season’s end with Anderson to look like.
"Each sit-down is different for obvious reasons,” Getz said. “With TA, a player we have known for a stretch, we know what the potential is. That is a conversation that isn't taken delicately. It might be a conversation that is more than one sit-down. TA deserves that. It’s a large decision for this organization. We will make sure it’s an exhaustive one.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.