Miami Marlins Sign All-Star Shortstop Tim Anderson to 1-Year Deal
The Miami Marlins and shortstop Tim Anderson are in agreement on a one-year, $5 million contract, ESPN's Jesse Rogers reported Thursday morning.
Anderson's deal is still pending a physical.
The move comes on the heels of weeks of speculation surrounding Anderson and the Marlins, who had infielders Garrett Hampson and Joey Wendle leave via free agency earlier this offseason. Reports started to surface last Friday that Miami had offered Anderson a contract, and it appears that the former Chicago White Sox infielder has cashed in on that proposal one week later.
According to a report from MLB Network's Jon Morosi on Wednesday, the Marlins view Anderson as their everyday shortstop. Utility man Jon Berti, who had his team option picked up in November, entered Spring Training as Miami's projected starter at the position.
Anderson spent the last eight seasons as Chicago's everyday shortstop, making 882 of his 884 career starts there. 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 one home run, a .582 OPS and a -2.0 WAR in 123 appearances. Over the previous four seasons, he was a .318 hitter with an .820 OPS and 12.5 WAR, averaging 20 homers per 162 games for his career.
Anderson was at the center of the White Sox's apparent clubhouse disfunction as well, most notably getting suspended five games for fighting Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez in August.
As a result of that all-around shaky campaign, Anderson is due for a pay cut in 2024. On top of failing to secure a long-term deal, Anderson's $5 million salary this season will be less than half of the $12.5 million it was in 2023.
Remaining at shortstop is a win for Anderson and his future value, however, considering he was reportedly open to moving to second base if it helped him find a new home.
Anderson will now play a key role in helping the Marlins return to the postseason after making a surprise run in 2023. Miami returns largely the same lineup as last year – plus Anderson, minus Wendle and designated hitter Jorge Soler – and will try to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
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