White Sox GM Chris Getz faces some large decisions this offseason regarding the future of the White Sox. One of the toughest will be deciding whether or not to pick up Tim Anderson’s team option worth $14 million.
Before the start of the season, it would have seemed like a foregone conclusion that the White Sox pick up Anderson’s option. He is a two-time All-Star, Sliver Slugger winner, and batting champion. But after an abysmal season that may see the White Sox reach triple-digit losses the landscape has changed.
Getz has remained noncommittal about Anderson’s future with the team and whether the White Sox will try to contend in 2024. But when he has been asked about him he hasn’t exactly given Anderson a ringing endorsement.
Anderson has struggled, slashing just .246/.287/.298 with a career-low .585 OPS. These numbers are despite the fact he has hit .315 over his last 15 games. It highlights just how ineffective Anderson has been this season.
His walk rate (5.0), expected slugging percentage (.327), weighted On-Base Average (.261), and expected weighted On-Base Average (.277) all rank in the bottom seven percent of the MLB. Baseball Savant gives Anderson a Batting Run Value of -29 places Anderson in the bottom one percentile in the league.
These struggles are not just limited to the offensive end. Defensively he may be the worst shortstop in baseball. His -4 OAA places him in the league's bottom 16th percentile. Anderson leads the White Sox with 14 errors which is also the fifth highest total in the American League.
If the White Sox plan on contending not picking up Anderson’s option seems foolish. There are going to be no free-agent shortstops who are better than Anderson, especially for less than $14 million.
The list of free agent shortstops this offseason includes, Javier Báez (opt-out), Elvis Andrus, Brandon Crawford, Amed Rosario, Paul DeJong (club option), Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Adalberto Mondesi. None of them would be considered an upgrade over Anderson even with his current struggles.
The White Sox's top shortstop prospect, Colson Montgomery, likely won’t be ready for the big leagues next season. Picking up Anderson’s option allows Montgomery another year to develop and gives Anderson a chance to improve his stock. If the White Sox are out of the playoff race by July they can flip him at the trade deadline. While the return for a rental player would be limited it would beat losing Anderson for nothing.
Some have suggested moving Anderson to second base after he held his own there during the World Baseball Classic. However, this doesn’t seem like an option for the White Sox. Anderson has been vocal about wanting to be paid like a shortstop so he would likely resist a move to second in a contract year.
“TA”s very talented,” Getz told reporters during a media session on Wednesday when asked about a move to second base. “You’ve seen flashes of his ability to drive the ball into the gap. You see his contact ability. Unfortunately, you just haven’t seen the consistency you have in the past. But there’s plenty of life in his game that we feel like he can still be a productive Major League player.”
“I know he’s been frustrated. There’s been some injuries along the way that have affected his lower half. Anyone that’s hit knows it starts from the ground up, and I think that’s probably affected him from time to time. But all in all, he’s been frustrated with the production, and we know he’s capable of doing more. It’s a matter of when and how it’s going to come out.”
There is also reason to believe that Anderson can bounce back next season.
Coming into the 2023 season, he owned an MLB-best .318 batting average since 2019. Along the way, he became the first player in White Sox history with three consecutive top-five finishes in the AL batting title race.
The bigger the stage, the better he tends to be. He hit a walk-off home run against the New York Yankees at the inaugural Field of Dreams Game in front of a nationally televised audience in 2022. He also owns a .485 batting average in his seven career postseason games.
Anderson has also been hampered by injuries and off-the-field distractions that have clearly affected him this season. The last time we saw Anderson struggle like this was in 2017 when his best friend, Branden Moss, was tragically killed early in the season.
On top of that, Anderson is one season removed from tearing a ligament in his hand. Even in what was considered a down year, Anderson managed to hit .301 but he hasn’t looked right since that injury-riddled 2022 campaign.
Next season he will be more motivated than ever to right the ship while he tries to cash in on his upcoming free agency.
Ultimately the decision will depend on what direction Getz wants to take the White Sox. If they decide to rebuild over the offseason, then cutting $14 million may be in their best interest.
