Tim Anderson, a previous batting champion and All-Star, had an unusually difficult season on the South Side. The Chicago White Sox announced on Saturday that they are parting ways with their longtime shortstop.
After several seasons as one of the most reliable contact hitters in the game, Anderson, 30, is coming off the poorest year of his career by a wide measure.
Anderson hit just one home run in 2023 and only managed a.245/.286/.296 slash line, struggling to a 60 OPS+. Only the previous year, in 2022, did Anderson’s slugging % fall short of his batting average (.301), although managing a 109 OPS+. Beyond the batting cage, Anderson’s issues extended to his glove, which had a -0.9 defensive WAR and a -1 outs above average rating.
Regretfully, the most noteworthy event for the seasoned shortstop this season was an altercation on the field in August with Cleveland Guardians’ José Ramírez, which resulted in Anderson’s suspension for six games.
In an attempt to prove that 2023 was an exception in his career, Anderson will now probably look for a one-year contract with a team in need of middle infield depth after the White Sox declined his $14 million option for 2024.
