Tim Anderson's Career May Officially Be Over

The Los Angeles Angels have designated Tim Anderson for assignment, per the team’s communication department. The parting of ways represents the latest chapter in his drastic decline.

Anderson, 31, signed with the Angels on a minor league contract in January and showed enough in spring training to earn a spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. Coincidentally, his first game with the Angels came on Opening Day against the White Sox in Chicago. He received a warm ovation in his return to the South Side.

Unsuccessful Angels Stint

Unfortunately for Anderson, his stint with the Angels was similar to his stint with the Miami Marlins last year. He slashed just .205/.258/.241 in 90 plate appearances over 31 games with the Angels this season. Anderson graded out surprisingly well defensively by the metrics in a small sample with the Halos, but his glove work was not enough to keep him on the roster. He managed just three extra-base hits all season, a continuation of his struggles with the bat since his final season with the White Sox in 2023. With several other Angels infielders finally getting healthy, the clock was ticking. The team finally decided to part ways earlier this afternoon.

Anderson's Uncertain Future

Anderson’s path from here is uncertain. He has already been let go by two teams since leaving the White Sox and will soon be 32. It appears his best days are officially behind him. He could catch on with another team on a minor league deal or look overseas to continue his career. At this point, however, he might just be done. If this is it for him, Anderson will walk away with two All-Star appearances, a batting title, a Silver Slugger award, and almost $44 million in career earnings over ten MLB seasons.

Downfall Of White Sox Old Core

Tim Anderson is not the only player from the last White Sox core to fall off significantly in recent years. Eloy Jiménez put up mediocre numbers in Triple-A for the Tampa Bay Rays organization earlier this season before being put on the injured list. Lucas Giolito and Yoán Moncada have missed good chunks of the season because of injuries, while Nick Madrigal has been out the entire season because of physical issues. Luis Robert Jr. is having the worst season of his career, while Andrew Vaughn was recently sent to Triple-A. José Abreu and Yasmani Grandal have not appeared in an MLB game in 2025.

The White Sox last contention window fell apart quickly, and most players from that group have not had much success elsewhere. Gavin Sheets is one of the only exceptions. Once Robert Jr. and Vaughn are gone, a new era of White Sox baseball will officially begin.