Tim Anderson finally has a contract offer. Per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Miami Marlins have offered Anderson roughly $2 million. The length of this proposed contract offer is unclear, but it would likely be for one year. In an offseason devoid of rumors for Anderson, the Marlins offer is the first official contract he has received that has been made public. The Angels had been linked to Anderson earlier in the offseason, but nothing has come of that rumor. It is not entirely a surprise that it took this long for Anderson’s market to heat up, given how bad he was last season. Still, it is a sad fall from grace for a player who looked to be the face of the White Sox not too long ago.
Anderson’s stock has tanked recently because of poor performance and off-the-field issues. The White Sox made their feelings towards him known, as they declined his team option for 2024 earlier in the offseason and signed Paul DeJong as his replacement. On the surface, the Marlins one-year/$2 million offer seems like pennies for a player with Anderson’s track record, but he might have to settle for a contract like that this offseason as it is in line with free agent other shortstops. This offseason, Garrett Hampson signed a one-year/$2 million contract with the Royals, DeJong signed a one-year/$1.75 million deal with the White Sox, and Amed Rosario just signed a one-year/$1.5 million deal with the Rays today. All three players had better 2023 seasons than Anderson, yet did not receive much money on the open market. However, Anderson is only 30 years old and was still productive as recently as the beginning of the 2022 season. It seems unlikely that his days of being a valuable MLB player are completely over, and a change of scenery in Miami might be just what he needs to get his career back on track again.
The Marlins infield situation is straightforward at the moment. Jake Burger will be their third baseman, while Luis Arraez will play second, with Josh Bell at first. Jon Berti is their likely starter at shortstop as of now, with Xavier Edwards and Jonah Bride also options at the position. Interestingly enough, Berti had a significantly better 2023 campaign than Anderson, but Berti also has experience at third base, second base, and all three outfield positions. Perhaps the Marlins want to use Berti’s defensive versatility all over the diamond in more of a superutility role and give the starting shortstop job to Anderson. It is unclear exactly how the Marlins plan to sort out their shortstop situation, but they clearly saw enough in Anderson to offer him a contract.
It is unknown if Anderson will accept the Marlins offer, but it could be the best offer he will get that allows him to continue being a starting shortstop at the MLB level. It might be in Anderson’s best interests to take a one-year pillow contract this offseason and bet on himself, as that would allow him to re-enter the free agent market next offseason.
