Tim Anderson speaks out after White Sox decline his 2024 club option
Tim Anderson speaks out after White Sox decline his 2024 club option originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
Tim Anderson released a statement Monday thanking the Chicago White Sox organization and its fans after his club option was declined for the 2024 season.
"If my time in Chicago is over, I want to thank Mr. Reinsdorf and the entire White Sox organization for the opportunity to start my career and play 8 years as your shortstop," Anderson said in a written Instagram story post. "I wish my teammates great success going forward.
"To the fans, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks for your unwavering support throughout my time here. A part of me will always be a south sider."
Anderson, 30, is coming off the worst year of his career by a considerable margin after spending several seasons as one of the sport's most consistent contact hitters.
In 2023, Anderson struggled to a 60 OPS+, managing just a .245/.286/.296 slash line while hitting just home run. His slugging percentage came in below his batting average just the year prior, when Anderson hit .301 in a 2022 campaign where he managed a 109 OPS+
Anderson's problems went beyond the batter's box, with his glove coming in at -0.9 defensive WAR and a -1 outs above average.
Unfortunately for the veteran shortstop, his most notable moment of the year was an on-field brawl with José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians in August that garnered Anderson a six-game suspension.
With the White Sox declining Anderson's $14 million option for 2024, Anderson will now likely search for a one-year deal with a club in need of middle infield depth in hopes that 2023 was an anomaly in his career.
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