The 2023 was a brutal one for the White Sox, who entered the year with postseason aspirations but found themselves as one of the league’s biggest sellers come the trade deadline. The club ultimately lost 101 games in 2023, their second 100-loss campaign in six years. While the club is facing a host of problems, from a pitching staff stripped to the bone by midseason trades to reported clubhouse culture issues, perhaps the biggest reason for concern about the club’s fortunes going forward is the fall from grace of franchise shortstop Tim Anderson.
Since breaking out during the 2019 season, Anderson has been a face of the franchise on the south side of Chicago. From 2019-2021, the young shortstop slashed an excellent .322/.349/.495 (126 wRC+) in 295 games while approaching a 20/20 campaign in both full seasons of that stretch. He led all qualified hitters in batting average during that stretch while playing a solid shortstop, and was a key piece of what looked to be a sustainable White Sox core for the future.
Unfortunately, things started to come off the rails for both Chicago and Anderson himself in 2022. Anderson’s offense regressed somewhat as he slashed .301/.339/.395 (110 wRC+). While he posted a career-best strikeout rate of just 15.7%, that improved contact did not make up for Anderson’s power outage, as he posted a career-low .093 ISO, the 18th-lowest figure of all players with as many plate appearances as him that season. To make matters worse, Anderson was limited to just 79 games by two separate IL stints for groin and finger injuries. While Anderson struggled to stay on the field, the White Sox faltered in his absence, going just 81-81 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
After a downturn in performance for both club and player, both sides hoped for better days in 2023, but those days did not arrive. Amid the club’s worst season since their 106-loss campaign in 1970, Anderson had far and away the worst season of his career. The 30-year-old slashed a paltry .245/.286/.296 in 524 trips to the plate, a figure that’s 40% worse than league average by measure of wRC+. His wRC+, ISO, wOBA, and slugging percentage were all the worst in the majors among all qualified hitters, and his on-base percentage also ranked in the bottom five.
Anderson’s brutal season has caused plenty of speculation regarding his future in the White Sox organization. The club holds a $14MM club option on his services for the 2024 season with a $1MM buyout. While the $13MM decision once appeared to be a no-brainer for one of the league’s better regulars at a premium position, the future now appears anything but certain for Anderson and Chicago. New GM Chris Getz recently spoke about the upcoming decision on Anderson, indicating that the decision “deserves an exhaustive discussion” considering Anderson’s importance to the organization in recent years, though he offered no assurance that Anderson would return to the South Side next year.
Further complicating matters is the lack of quality shortstop options on the open market this season. If the club wishes to move on from Anderson, they’ll be hard-pressed to find a clear upgrade in free agency with Amed Rosario and Gio Urshela headlining the upcoming class. Of course, top prospect Colson Montgomery is figures to be the club’s shortstop of the future following a big season that saw him advance to Double-A late in the year. While Montgomery is certainly on the radar for a big league debut as soon as next year, it seems unlikely Chicago would be content to use him as the Opening Day shortstop next year after just 37 games at the Double-A level. Retaining Anderson certainly wouldn’t block Montgomery, as Anderson himself has expressed a willingness to move to second base going forward.
Ultimately, the upcoming option decision leaves the White Sox forced to choose between risking overpaying Anderson for another abysmal year of production in 2024 or risking him returning to form elsewhere when he could’ve been retained on a relative bargain compared to his typical production. How do MLBTR readers feel the White Sox should approach the upcoming decision on Anderson’s option? Have your say in the poll below.
Absolutely no. He was the worst full time player in MLB last season and comes with way too much baggage.
But this is the White Sox so they will probably pick up his option.
Absolutely, yes. He’s been a very productive player every year of his career until 2023. Highly unlikely he aged-out at 30. The White Sox are a major market team, even though under JR they refuse to operate that way. Unless they know of some injury that will impact his health (and they may), or it turns out that TA is part of the club house problem (can’t be discounted), then they should place what amounts to a minor bet for a high-revenue team and go for a rebound. If he does, they either get the benefit of it, or they can flip him at the trade deadline when his value will be higher.
To let him leave at his low point is to give up. But this is the White Sox, so they will probably not pick up his option.
Their market size doesn’t matter. What matters is could he beat 1/$13m in FA this offseason. If the answer is no, you don’t pick up the option just because you can afford him.
Because in this market, beating a 1/$13 won’t be as difficult at many assume. Teams are concerned about long-term deals. A one-year rebound deal? He’ll find takers.
Because he has a buyout, if the White Sox can trade him for so much as a used jockstrap, then exercising the option pays off.
MI free agent market is empty this offseason. At worst you pick up the option, pay down the contract for a nominal return. Or let him build a little value. Even with being the worst player in the league last year he’s still league average over the last three years. Lots of guys get the cancer label but teams still trade/sign for them
He was the one of the worst players, but he’s a player with upside. That’s the reason to take a shot. I would, I don’t think they will.
The question as to whether he should return doesn’t need to be asked. First, there’s no way Reinsdorf will pay anyone, even Ohtani, $14m. Case closed. TA hasn’t seemed to be motivated the last two years. Middleton talks about a poor “clubhouse culture”, and I wouldn’t doubt it. Sox fans who watched the team’s enthusiasm and genuine desire to win ended midway through 2021. The Renteria era of producing a relaxed, motivated team faded w ay when tlr took over. He was distant from the players. Not a lot of smiles. Just a lot of tension around the team LaRussa had theedia afraid to ask probing questions, preferring instead to lob softball, generic questions which tlr still seemed to take offense. On the final day of last season, Abreu told Grifol he didn’t want to play. He looked so demoralized. When he finally got away from the Sox, he’s become they player he used to be in a winning culture. Grifol is NOT the guy to turn the team around. He can’t motivate players which, I know, they should do on their own. Anderson is still a terrific all-around SS. I hate to say it but, since his option means he’s all but gone, his true talent which he showed in his pre-larussa days. Just like Abreu, some team is going to see Anderson at his finest.
That’s absolutely hilarious that you think the Astros are seeing Jose Abreu at his “finest”. Dude literally had his worst season ever in ’23, hitting .237/.296/.383 with a -0.6 fWAR.
Who is going to trade for him at that contract? Sign Ahmed or DeJong for one year, and they will improve defensively. Montgomery in ’25. They are not competing next year anyway. Clean house.
@stymeedone I don’t know but if a team is interested trading him for anything at all beats paying him $1m to go away.
cliffo: Abreu’s best month has always been August. It’s extended beyond that this season and he’s done pretty good in the PO. He was counted on with the Sox to carry the team. He doesn’t have to do that with Houston. His defense has always been solid, and it’s also nice to see him contribute to what I hope is not another WS title for the Astros.
@avenger65:
My goodness; just take your “L” and move on. I correctly called out your wildly false claim and nothing you said here comes close to rectifying that initial comment of yours.
Not only that, now you’re trying to say that his August with the Astros was his best month when in reality it was absolutely horrendous (and much closer to his worst month of ’23): .188/.278/.271, 57 wRC+, and -0.2 fWAR.
Try doing a little research next time before sharing your thoughts.
They know of his injured jaw, and his injured pride.
You forgot his injured ego.
While I don’t disagree Rob, I’m not sure it’s worth the debate. We know the White Sox won’t take the chance.
So in that sense, I do agree with @thelegendaryharambe and the OP. I just don’t think the $13MM should be the main driver of the decision.
Its his 2nd bad season in a row and in 2023 he was the worst player in baseball. Did you read the article?
Grifol said he was unaware of the clubhouse problem you alluded to.
No no no, People need to use their brains instead of their hearts.
“To let him leave at his low point is to give up….” This is probably the WORST thought process that anyone could have in an org. Its what gets us teams LIKE the White Sox for the past 20-30 years. Look, Im sure in some situations the decision pans out, but not for the White Sox..
RobM21 hours ago
Absolutely, yes. He’s been a very productive player every year of his career until 2023.
=============================
He had a 1.3 bWAR in 2022. Is that “very productive”?
Absolutely yes. Lifelong Sox fan and not particularly a fan of Anderson but they have no one better. I’m sure he will be better next year. They need him for 1 more year. What’s the difference. The Sox suck ass no matter what. But, they will be worse with their AAA talent instead of Anderson.
I’m in your camp, roob.
What we’ll see in 2024 is Anderson gone, Andrus playing short, an empty spot at 2b, 1b man Sheets playing RF and hitting .202, and Korey Lee and his under-.100 BA catching. Vaughn, who is a poor replacement defensively for Abreu at 1b, will be counted on to lead the offense along with Robert. Despite hitting 38 HRs, Robert didn’t come close to 100 RBI. Neither did Vaughn. Can’t wait for next season.
They literally could not have had anyone worse last season. That the whole point.
They absolutely could have had someone worse. I could have been their SS.
They could have gotten Anderson’s level of performance for a lot less. He’s not worth $13M.
DeJong and Ahmed are both ML caliber defensively, and will be happy with one year bounce back contracts. Anderson is not the only option to cover until Monty is ready.
Styme, if Dejong or Ahmed are okay “bounce back “ options how is Anderson not? His ceiling is higher than any MI free agent
You’re ‘sure’ he will be better? Want to stake 14 m to that of your own money?
To slug below .300 wow! How do you slug below .300? Tim Anderson figured it out? See if you have a batting average of .245 and a slugging of .300 ypu shouldn’t be trying to fight anyone who’s slugging .500?
If Anderson had any more baggage, Sam Brinton would be stalking him.
Don’t see why they would when they can get a much better option for cheaper in free agency
Who is the much better option? Amed Rosario?
Anybody with a neutral WAR would be an upgrade, so this includes some players without any MLB experience
“Who is the much better option”…Me for one. I work cheap, play decent and get along well with others, things that the cancer called T.A could never do. Oh, and I can take a punch and don’t have a glass jaw, so there’s yet another thing I can do, that T.A can’t do.
mlbf
No, you, of course, are a much worse option.
avenger
Oh look
It’s the blowhard who’s eyes told them that the Orioles would beat the Rangers and that analytics tells you nothing.
Ikf
Tim can likely get a position at Akin Law.
“Who is the much better option?”
Potentially Anderson anyway considering they can bring him back for less money if they decline the option.
“Who is the much better option?”
Anyone with a better attitude and no angry chips on their shoulder.
Col_cb
does anyone here ever answer these questions? I never see it
filhok, questions are answered in the secret thread. Say the password and they’ll let you in.
Who was worse in 2023?
I think they should pick up the option. Best case scenario, TA has a bounce back year that helps the team perform better and either sign an extension or get traded for much needed prospects in the barren cupboard that is the Sox minor league system. Worst case, he performs poorly and Jerry Reinsdorf sees a few million of his dollars wasted. What a shame that would be given just how awful he has allowed this team to become lol
It seems like Anderson and the White Sox have soured on each other. His poor decisions off the field have gotten in the way of his performance, and I think he’s sick of playing for this joke of an organization. I don’t think he’d be happy having to toil here for one more season, so it might be time to just move on.
This is kind of unknowable for outsiders, but if they decline his option I think it will be for reasons like this – “fit”, “culture”, “chemistry”, etc. The White Sox got rocked with bad press for their culture around the trade deadline, and if they think Anderson was a big part of that, no way they bring him back.
It also would be a way to save a few bucks. Which they’ll never admit is the reason, but the culture thing is great cover for it.
Because otherwise they need a shortstop, and there aren’t better ones in this free agent market. They need one, preferably on a short term deal, someone that can move to 2B possibly, and someone with upside that they might be able to flip for prospects if they perform well enough. There is basically nobody else that fits that set of criteria better than TA that is available.
But is he a big part of it, or did the clubhouse cancers wear him down? “Anderson and Yasmani Grandal had an altercation in the clubhouse prior to the All-Star break. Grandal wanted to leave early because he wasn’t in the lineup for the final game of the first half, Anderson didn’t like it and told him to leave if he didn’t want to be there, and Grandal reportedly slapped him in the head. “
I alluded to this. He’s always been lauded for his character, but he also seems to draw the ire of other teams. Maybe he does also with his teammates. If they view him as part of the clubhouse problem, then they should move on. Know way for any of us to know that.
But maybe his teammates’ ire comes from his trying to hold them accountable, as seen above. As for opponents, the J-Ram thing was emotions out of control, and Josh Donaldson is an actual clubhouse cancer (and moron).
@Holden Bases, it’s possible. They may love him, or they may be happy when he’s gone. Someone like Donaldson is an a**, but he’s also a professional needler. He knows how to get in the head of the opposing players. He’s a throwback to older players in that sense. There could be two truths here. Anderson is a deserving target, and Donaldson is a jerk!
Lauded for his character? That is hilarious. He is known for saying flipping a bat makes him like Jackie Robinson. He is known for being a jackarse on the field and talking smack to rookies to the point umpires tell him to shut up. He is known for being the worst of humans.
Known for wanting to break the “have fun” barrier does not make him the “worst of humans,” nor does needling rookies. Plenty of players have more outlandish reactions to home runs and don’t receive a tenth of the amount of scrutiny Anderson does- just look at any Bryce Harper home run.
Anderson rose from a life that should have held him back. He was born to a father who was in prison; he spent his weekends visiting prison to see his dad; his best friend, who walked a similar life path and was Tim’s greatest support, was killed by gun violence during Tim’s third season in MLB; he now signs endless autographs for anyone and donates his equipment.
He wants players coming into Chi-town to know this is his space and you do not want to mess with his team. That attitude is something winners like the Yankees of the 1990’s carried with them.
Your summary of his character speaks more to who you are than who he is.
Anderson’s upbringing is far from unique in professional sports. That his best friend that he continued to hang with up through his 3rd season in MLB was a gang member that was killed in a gang related incident tells me volumes about his lack of integrity.
Its one thing to celebrate a home run. Its another to compare yourself to one of the true legends of the game because you do so. As you pointed out, its not unique. Even trying to compare yourself to Jackie Robinson because you flip a bat is pathetic. Jackie was a great man whose life was rooted in turning the other cheek.
Winners never fell it necessary to try to denigrate rookies. He never tries to try that BS with veterans, so he is a coward. When umpires have to step in, you are out of line and he is out of line.
That he does what hundreds of other athletes do in signing autographs and donating a few bats or balls is not something extraordinary. That he feels it necessary to brag about it at every turn tells you a lot about his character.
As does his adultery.
I’m not a professional athlete and yet my hometown hospital has a pediatric cancer center that is there because of my donations. It has a small plaque bearing my wife and my names, but I felt no need for public acclaim because of it. I sponsor scholarships for inmates to attend my alma mater in accounting programs. But not once have you seen me trying to tout that in interviews.
I will repeat what I said and clarify. Anderson is among the lowest of humans in sports today.
Again, outing yourself. Who said his childhood friend was in a gang? He wasn’t.
You haven’t clarified anything except the obvious motives in your rambling, incoherent, and off-topic posts. His character has little to do with the original post, and, to put it bluntly, you are wrong anyway.
Curious since all the news reports said it was a gang related crime and YOU said he was a gang member Tim.
I am 100% on topic Tim. All my comments on you are based on facts. That you don’t like the truth being written about you is on you.
Mike he’s also a a very bad husband.
For publicly owning his errors and being a father to his out-of-wedlock son? Yes, he broke his vow, but 40-50% of first time marriages end in divorce. At least he is owning his behavior, unlike most individuals, in or out of the public eye.
He only owning up to his errors because a court told him he had to.
“My hometown hospital has a pediatric cancer center that is there because of my donations. It has a small plaque bearing my wife and my names, but I felt no need for public acclaim because of it. I sponsor scholarships for inmates to attend my alma mater in accounting programs. But not once have you seen me trying to tout that in interviews.”
Sure, Jan.
Buddy, find another life, because yours certainly is not baseball.
More fake news. No court involved. You are obsessed with ruining this man’s reputation. I have a new user name for you: GetALife.
Nothing I said is wrong Tim. Everything I said about you is on the money and based on the facts that have been publicly reported.
No one can ruin your reputation, Tim. You have done a great job doing that all by yourself.
Plot twist- I’m an English teacher who loves baseball. A Red Sox fan, in fact. But you probably wouldn’t catch my username allusion…
Anyway, I would love for you to cite any one of your “facts,” but let’s start with your court ordered fake news. Then show me where he says his friend was in a gang. If you’re going to toss out lies, as I’m sure your favorite politicians love to do, you may as well back them up.
Ask BassballisLife about his other accounts Pads Fans, websoulsurfer and outinleftfield lol.
Thank you- wasting my time with an internet troll.
mikecws: As long as they don’t physically hurt any living thing, I really don’t care what a player does away from bb.
I don’t see a better option. There is no such thing as a bad one-year contract. The Sox have nothing to lose by bringing him back. They’re going nowhere. If he comes back and plays well, then trade him at the deadline. If he continues to suck, keep running him out there until something better comes available via waiver, trade, or promotion. Then just cut him loose and walk away. It’s a perfectly reasonable gamble for a team with little to lose.
Exactly. They’re better off picking up and see if he can bounce back.
This is basically where I’m at. They’re essentially a rebuilding team, and what you do as a rebuilding team is bring in veterans to fill out positions on short term deals, especially guys who are bounce back candidates. Then, if they pan out, you try to trade them for prospects if you’re out of contention at the deadline. If they don’t, it’s the cost of doing business and you’ve at least bought some seasoning time for your prospects (manipulated their service time).
They let go of TA they’re looking for someone exactly like him. In a very thin free agent market
Have a question : did you attend any White Sox games in 2023? I did.
He looked like he hadn’t a clue at the plate. Suspect injuries have taken their toll. Time to move on. Even if TA has a resurgence elsewhere it doesn’t matter. Sub .500 team next season.
The only ray of hope is the quality of the rest of the teams in the division. Maybe in 2025.
RJN
Have a question: why should I think your opinion means anything? Lots of people go to games and have no idea what they are talking about. Nothing that you posted here makes it seem like you do.
Who could be a worse option?
Jackie sucks!
Yes, two-time all-star, ROY and MVP vote receiver Tim Anderson…sucks? Sure, buddy. Absolutely awful season in 2023. Otherwise, he’s proven to be a good player.
Awful 2022 also or do you not understand OPS? So Tim, you didn’t read the article about your decline?
109+ OPS says 2022 wasn’t all that bad, especially considering how down offense around the league was. Again, tell me you know nothing about baseball some more, and then stare at those tiny plaques with your name upon them.
It’s been alluded to many times, but if Anderson is the clubhouse cancer he’s purportedly to be, the White Sox should cut ties and begin rehabbing the organization—they still have many talented players.
The Sox had one position player with a WAR over 1. The Twins had 11. Who exactly are the “many talented players” you speak of? They have Robert and Cease, and basically nothing else.
And Santos, Vaughn and Jimenez, but I like the Twins much more. All I’m saying is if the White Sox get their sh#t together, they aren’t a complete disaster like,say, the Royals.
I”d kick him to the curb and sign Andrus for the yr. on the cheap. He’s still a better ss then Anderson ever was. Montgomery will be up sometime in 24 or at least by 25.. Anderson has to many personal problems going on and never was a very good ss.
Not a chance, we need 3 starting pitchers that’s where we should spend the money not on a no hit bad defensive shortstop.!!
Yes! Move on from Anderson. It’s best for both sides. Let the rebuild proceed. Trade Cease during this off season while the goin is still good with him. Get the best return possible.
Should get a solid return. Pick up some vets to fill out the roster and hope for at least decent performance. Then flip these players at the trade deadline for the best possible return. Plan on 2026 to hopefully field a competitive team.
I think the best option would be to decline Anderson’s option, sign or trade for a cheap stopgap, and put in Montgomery whenever he is deemed ready to go. Or they could just move Andrus back to short and find a second baseman.
Of course if the ChiSox go in that direction, they probably need to go into full rebuild mode. I don’t know if they really have enough to just reload, even in the weak AL Central.
Colton Montgomery is ready April 2025. Pick up Anderson and hope his pending free agency motivates him because you release him at end of 2024.
Your Rockies have more hope than the White Sox. Montgomery needs more seasoning and make the jump Triple A and show what he has first. Beyond that, this organization does not have much in the farm, the player development has not been good, and the guy that was in charge of it is now the GM. It’s going to take some work for the team to show progress in fixing these issues.
Even if they do not want to play him, I suspect that there would be some team willing to give the White Sox something of value in trade for him, especially since effectively it would be a a one-year deal.
See Craig Kimbrall. How’d that sign and trade work out? Kimbrall only had a poor few weeks, while TA sucked the whole season. Could only get a bad contract swap by picking up that option. Lets repeat that mistake again !
Colson Montgomery looks to be the White Sox core SS as soon as this season. He very much resembles stud All-Star Corey Seager. mlb.com/news/white-sox-prospect-colson-montgomery-…
I’d pass on the Tim Anderson 2024 option and use the $13M difference elsewhere.
When a team loses like the White Sox have, it’s easy to go after a player slumping as poorly as Tim Anderson is. His frustrations clearly boiled over when he fought with Ramirez. But don’t forget he just won the Heart and Hustle Award (Chicago White Sox) in 2021, and he has been known as the voice of the team in the clubhouse for a few years. This bad rep everyone throws at him has more to do with a person’s interpretation of how he plays the game (e.g. what is “right” versus “wrong”), which is completely arbitrary and made up. Tim Anderson is a good player who had a very bad season. He could bounce back. No one-year deal is a bad deal, especially for a rebuilding club in a weak division.
Holding onto the cancerous T.A would be an unmitigated disaster. There’s other SS’s available(Wily Adames)for a bit less than 14 million. Sometimes, addition by subtraction is your best play.
Adames will get around or more than 14/year, and he’ll get a multi year deal. And please explain how T.A. is “cancerous” on a team with Grandal (who tried to go home early before the all star break) and Jimenez, who never hustles yet breaks down all the time.
Also explain how you’re going to get Adames. The White Sox can’t afford to start trading prospects for a one year stop gap, even a good one.
This crap about TA being a “clubhouse cancer” was made up by someone and has snowballed. I bet not one person who believes TA is a clubhouse cancer, has a chip on his shoulder etc., etc., can provide any solid proof of this.
They will decline the option and trade Cease for Grissom & Elder.
…and the Braves sign Tim Anderson and he will start the All Star game.
Braves wouldn’t touch that trainwreck.
Should they? No. Will they? Yes.
-2.0 WAR =/= $13M Option
Josh Donaldson – “I had a bad year.”
Tim “Glass Chin” Anderson – “Hold my beer…”
That is the problem. 13 million for a bounceback season is way too much, but for like 5 or 6 million with incentives, then that looks much appealing.
He seems to be losing his speed. I don’t know if that’s just because of injuries he can work his way back from or because he’s truly losing a step.
If he can rehab and recover that speed in the off-season then I’d consider the option. If he’s truly lost a step and starting his decline then move on. Anderson more than any player I’ve seen uses his athleticism to make up for his shortcomings. Without that athleticism he’s not worth a big contract.
At this point it might be more prudent to bring back Elvis Andrus as a stopgap SS until Montgomery is ready.
As far as bringing him back hoping he gets better and they can trade him. The market for rental hitters at the deadline has been real weak the last few years. Trade value shouldn’t even enter the conversation as far as picking up the option.
Decline the option. Offer 1 year + or trade kopech for Vaughn Grissom.
White Sox need a good SS, and Grissom is not a good SS. He is misplayed there.
Vaughn Grissom could be transitioned to 2B. The White Sox could have a special double play combo as soon as 2024 with high ceiling hit tools between Colson Montgomery at SS and Grissom at 2B.
Sometimes you need to know when its time to move on. There are several teams with a surplus of young cheap strong defense middle infielders. Just a matter of finding the right trade partner.
Get rid of him, he’s a cancer
Picking up his option doesn’t mean you can’t trade him.
And declining his option doesn’t mean you can’t bring him back.
Whether or not the Sox want to keep Anderson isn’t a factor in his option being exercised. All that matters is can he beat 1/$13m in FA.
I’d long forgotten how horrible that 1970 club went. 56-106. And they had Luis Aparicio, Bill Melton, Carlos May, Wilbur Wood, Tommy John, Joe Horlen and Ken (not from Mayberry R.F.D.) Berry.
At least that 1970 team had a glimmer of hope as it wound up the season. Chuck Tanner became the manager in September. Wilbur Wood was transitioned from the White Sox closer in 1970 to their ace pitcher in 1971. The team became more competitive in 1971 and even more so in 1972 when Tommy John was traded to the Dodgers for Dick Allen. Allen was the AL MVP in 1972 . He and Wood were instrumental in leading the White Sox to a 2nd place finish in the AL West behind that season’s eventual World Champion Oakland A’s.
Being a S Side Sox fan, our opinions matter more than yours.
Absolutely… NOT!!!
TA7 cannot be on this team again.
His hitting tanked in 23′, but so did his defense and his attitude. To be fair, both his defense and attitude have been in decline. Enough is enough. He was a team captain at one point, but now he’s a liability. Get a good defensive SS in FA to hold it down until Colton Montgomery is ready as defense helps the pitching staff.
Thanks for the memories.
Seems like the opportunity for the parties to agree that they decline the option, pay him the buyout, he re-signs him at a lower (maybe $8M) rate, and agree not to QO him. He gets a well-paid pillow year to restore his value, they limit their risk, maybe get a good player they can use on the field, or trade
I really don’t think TA has to worry about getting a QO.
No QO agreements aren’t allowed in MLB and there is no reason for the White Sox to do that.
Anderson probably won’t do enough in 2024 to merit a QO anyway.
The White Sox options. They could keep Elvis Andrus and slide him back to SS and sign a Second Baseman. A one year stop gap like a Kevin Newman, Jose Iglesias or Nick Ahmed might not look sexy on paper but probably wouldn’t produce any worse than Anderson did this past season
Hello Newman!
Anderson needs a change in scenery –
I believe he will once again be a asset & a key contributor in the right environment & manager.
I can see what it would be a bit tough. 14M on a resurgent Anderson would be a good deal.
Given that the team as a whole did poorly not just Tim. Seems like they have other problems to tackle.
If I thought I knew what those other problems were I’d probably pick him backup.
If not, I’d decline and attempt to resign at a lower rate.
just from my helicopter view.
Possibly in another team with a culture. But on the Sox he is just a cancer and will make the team worse
Tim Anderson is quickly becoming the new Yasiel Puig on this board. I guess the Sox could always take a gamble on Paul DeJong.
DeJong was dumped by the cards, Blue Jays and Giants this year. Three dfa’s in one season. He’ll fit in nicely on the White Sox.
Technically, the Cardinals traded Pauly D, they didn’t DFA him.
He was -2.0 WAR last year. Dump him for any replacement player.
The White Sox should be looking at Willy Adames.He’s solid defensively, has power and is a good clubhouse guy..
Not a bad idea. Doesn’t seem like MIL FO is all in on keeping him for what he’ll get in arbitration. He slipped this year but nothing like Anderson’s landslide.
Adam’s is a clubhouse cancer. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. I have absolutely no proof of this, it’s not at all true, but let’s see how many dimwits on this board spread it around to draw attention to themselves.
I think despite his poor attitude, Jackie is going to bounce back. He got caught cheating on his wife before the season started. Baseball is mostly a mental sport. With everything combined + injuries, there really wasn’t as much of a surprise as most people thought. I think he hits .290 with 10Hrs, thats definetly worth 10 mil. People underestimate the mental aspect of baseball. Just look at how bad Dom Smith and Jack Flaherty have been since kneeling for the anthem in 2020. They haven’t bounced back since
Since kneeling for the anthem??? You are some real sort of crazy!
@Holden Bases Go ahead and look at their stats before and after the kneeling, its like night and day
Lol.
Coming off a 100-loss season and gutting the pitching staff, with a newly promoted GM in place, White Sox should start over completely. Decline TA’s option, trade everyone not nailed down for whatever prospects they can get, call up whatever minor leaguers they currently have, hire a full new coaching staff, and focus really hard on drafting well and player development. It’ll be painful to go back into a long rebuild almost as soon as they climbed out of the last one, but they couldn’t get it done the previous couple of seasons when they were “going for it” and now they’re right back to where they were 5 years ago. Just about the only good player they have left is Robert.
There have been many one season wonder players in the history of MLB. Regardless if Tim Anderson’s offense bounces back, he’s a poor defensive player. I doubt he improves at 2B.
The lack of quality shortstop options on the open market doesn’t complicate the situation at all. The open market is only one option. They can look internally or make a trade but, it seems anything is better than what they had.
I voted “no” but I believe the club will pick up his option for the following reasons. First, nobody in the system ready to step in and replace him. Two, to try and trade him this offseason when his value is rock bottom is terrible asset management. Third, no free agent SSs who are superior to Anderson and at a comparable price. Fourth, bounce back candidate who could be AL Comeback Player of the Year in ’24. Fifth, he will be motivated o earn his next contract, so 2024 is a good year to bet on TA. If he flops, he’s done. If TA has a great ’24, deal him at the TDL for a boatload of prospects. They are sill fuming in TO that the Jays never traded for a hired bat at the TDL. Finally, TA remains the face of the franchise. Sure Robert Jr. had a much better year than TA and presumably has a brighter future, but the face of your club cannot be a guy who speaks English through an interpreter. Call me racist but that is a fact. Unless Robert Jr. kicks Billy Russo to the curb he can’t be the face of the franchise unless it is a totally hapless and dysfunctional team like the current Sox. TA also connects the team to Blacks as he is the lone Black American on the team. Should that mean something? It sure does in a world where BLM and diversity is our strength.
I’d be shocked if TA ‘s contract isn’t picked up, and when it it is, it’s all on TA to show the last two seasons were aberrations. be very interesting to see if TA does bounce back in ’24 if the Sox will extend him and make him a Sox for life.
People have to stop using their heart (especially the Sox FO) instead of their head for such decisions. By the way, he was not much in 2022 either.
He is too costly, both in terms of contract and on the field (iffy glove, always injured, forgot how to hit, etc). If the Sox keep him expect more of the same issues from last season. Never mind that stupid crap against Jose Ramirez.
The Sox do not need that (especially with the other issues they still have with Grifol in the locker room).
As for who replaces his bat…Its not like the Sox are competing for anything in ’24, unless a run of really really good luck appears for them.
Id rather have someone good with the glove, not great with the bat, who is not a clubhouse distraction. If the Sox are crazy enough to bring him back it better be because the he can prove he will be a better teammate and Sox opt out of this current debacle and bring him back at a much much much lower level (like 4 mil or lower), neither of which I see happening
I’d say no. Assuming that they can’t compete, use the money on two RPs and see if they can move them at the deadline.
Please don’t listen to these not smart so called fans. We need him back in the hopes he has a break out season and we can flip him at deadline. We can get a prospect possibly 2 for him. Also lll the Whote Sox don’t have room to let him walk because they need as many assets as possible.
Flip him to who exactly? What team wants an oft injured, 14 million dollar headcase singles hitter who cannot drive runs in consistently and likes to pick fights he cannot finish (never mind his glove)?
But keeping ‘hoping’ for something to change even though nothing is different. ‘Hoping’ is all Sox fans have been doing for the past decade (or longer).
Any discussion is laughable. TA hasn’t played 125 games in a season since 2018, and has missed 40 percent of games during that time. If TA had any trade value, they would have been able to flip him last year. He had no trade value last year for the same reason it makes no sense to pick up his option. They don’t need to pay a guy 14M heading into a throw away season without any chance of being competitive. Talk of getting a prospect worth 14M or anywhere near that is nonsense. They might not be able to trade him to a team for free that would pay his salary.
For anybody who watched, one of the primary reasons for his season last year is that he is obviously miserable and unmotivated, and hates being on this loser team, with a loser owner, GM, manager, minor league system, and loser roster. This is one of the least desirable teams to play for in MLB, probably bottom 3. But even in the unlikely event that he found motivation while playing for this joke of an organization and didn’t suck, most teams that are in a playoff race that want a SS would want one that isn’t a league worst fielder at the most important defensive position. The Sox are the dumbest and most wasteful team in the history of the universe, so they will probably pick it up and throw 14M away on a guy who will miss 60 games and give them garbage production. Picking it up would be utterly stupid, as is any ill conceived and irrational argument as to why they should.
Look around the league for players that miss extended time. You might be shocked. We are no longer in baseball history where most players play 155 games let alone 162 or pitchers eclipsing 200+ Innings. Both of are long gone history.
Those wishing White Sox opt out from Anderson are not that smart. TA is the most likely player to rebound from last year with a breakout season in 2024 MLB. If team feels the need to move him to 2nd base, so be it. But letting him walk would be much more harmful than resigning him. Book on it