White Sox decline Tim Anderson's $14M contract option, making him a free agent
The Chicago White Sox declined the $14 million club option on Tim Anderson for the 2024 season, a release from the team said Saturday. The Sox will pay a $1 million buyout to part ways with the shortstop.
A post on X, formerly Twitter, thanked Anderson following the news:
From the 2019 batting title to the Field of Dreams walk-off and many more memories, your impact on this city is unforgettable. Thank you for everything, TA. pic.twitter.com/vofUlFquFi
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 4, 2023
The club followed with a video tribute to the 30-year-old that chronicled his eight seasons in Chicago, beginning with the 2013 MLB Draft, when the team selected him 17th overall.
Anderson earned an American League All-Star nod in 2021 and returned to the Summer Classic as a starter in the 2022. His White Sox tenure garnered accolades including the 2020 AL Silver Slugger Award and the 2019 AL batting title.
But this season, he struggled. In 123 games, Anderson hit just one home run with a .245 batting average. He recorded 25 RBI, 52 runs scored and 13 stolen bases. His .582 OPS was the worst among MLB shortstops, while his .296 slugging percentage was the lowest of any American League batter
Losing a wild brawl with José Ramirez was likely the lowest point of the difficult campaign. Anderson was issued a six-game suspension from MLB that was later reduced to five games through a settlement.
Thank you, TA7. pic.twitter.com/Rd5keEcgab
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 4, 2023
A rebuild seems to be on the horizon for the White Sox, who entered the offseason disappointed. Their 61-101 record landed them fourth in the American League Central. Vice president Ken Williams and general manager Rick Hahn were fired amid the rocky campaign.
The White Sox also declined closer Liam Hendriks' club option for 2024. Instead of retaining him with a $15 million salary, he will be paid a $15 million buyout over the next 10 years in annual installments of $1.5 million. Hendriks received a non-Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in the previous offseason. The right-hander missed the start of the year while undergoing treatment and then underwent Tommy John surgery in August.
Saturday featured other moves across MLB in preparation for free agency, which officially begins Monday. Chicago Cubs right-hander Marcus Stroman reportedly opted out his contract with $21 million and a year remaining. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Reds declined to pick up franchise icon Joey Votto's $20 million club option.
