Miami Marlins Make Contract Offer to All-Star Free Agent Tim Anderson, Per Reports
The Miami Marlins have made infielder Tim Anderson a contract offer, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported Wednesday morning. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal previously reported the same last Friday.
Morosi's update added a new wrinkle, however.
Miami is explicitly pursuing Anderson to be its primary shortstop, per Morosi, putting to bed the idea that he would transition to second base. Anderson was reportedly open to moving to second if it helped him land on his feet coming off a disappointing 2023 campaign with the Chicago White Sox.
Reigning NL batting champion Luis Arráez holding down the fort at second would have made it difficult for Anderson to break through there regardless, but Arráez does notably have a decent amount of experience as a first baseman, third baseman, corner outfielder and designated hitter.
This also serves as confirmation that the Marlins are looking at Anderson as a potential member of their starting lineup, rather than a backup option.
Anderson spent the last eight seasons as Chicago's everyday shortstop, making 882 of his 884 career starts at the position. He won the AL batting title in 2019, then a Silver Slugger in 2020, before making the All-Star Game in both 2021 and 2022.
The 30-year-old's production fell off in 2023, however, as he hit just .245 with a .582 OPS and -2.0 WAR. Over the previous four seasons, he was a .318 hitter with an .820 OPS and 12.5 WAR.
Anderson was at the center of the White Sox's apparent clubhouse disfunction last year, most notably getting suspended five games for fighting Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez in August.
The Marlins exercised their team option on utility man Jon Berti in November, but infielders Garrett Hampson and Joey Wendle signed with the Kansas City Royals and New York Mets, respectively, a few weeks later. Wendle and Hampson combined to start 107 games at shortstop for Miami in 2023, compared to Berti's 52.
Berti is currently projected to be the Marlins' starting shortstop with Spring Training getting underway, but Anderson's arrival would change that. The former All-Star still has to decide whether or not he wants to sign the dotted line, though, and it remains to be seen what his personal timeline is.
Follow Fastball on FanNation on social media
Continue to follow our Fastball on FanNation coverage on social media by LIKING us on Facebook and by following us on Twitter @FastballFN.
You can also follow Sam Connon on Twitter @SamConnon.
