On Saturday, the Chicago White Sox said goodbye to a key member of their core for the past several years, declining veteran shortstop Tim Anderson's club option for the 2024 season. Anderson is now a free agent.
The former American League batting champion struggled in 2023, hitting just .245 and with only one home run and 25 RBI. In past seasons, Anderson has been a force at the plate, hitting for a high average and showing power.
Because of a lackluster 2023 season, his stock may have gone down just a bit, but that doesn't necessarily mean teams should pass on him.
In fact, there are several teams that might benefit from taking a flyer on the veteran shortstop and buying low to see what he can provide in 2024.
MLB Rumors: 3 teams that could buy low on Tim Anderson in free agency
3. Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays don't typically spend a ton of money in free agency. However, they may have a hole to fill at the shortstop position.
After allegations against Wander Franco of inappropriate relationships with minors surfaced, the young shortstop's future is uncertain. Should he not return in 2024, the Rays could potentially take a chance on somebody like Anderson.
Anderson brings a veteran presence, and his veteran voice and leadership could be beneficial for a young team like the Rays that is trying to take the next step after a 99-win season in 2023.
The Rays do have options at the shortstop position in the event that Franco doesn't return, but Anderson would be more of a sure thing, and the Rays need certainty at that position.
Tampa Bay could give him a one-year deal to prove himself and see what happens with the former All-Star and batting champion. St. Petersburg is a relatively lower-pressure environment, and that could be good for Anderson as he tries to bounce back and re-establish himself as one of the elite players in baseball.
2. San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants may have seen the last of franchise icon and World Series champion Brandon Crawford, who is a free agent. The Giants do have Casey Schmitt that they can plug in at that position in the future.
But adding a veteran like Anderson could help Schmitt develop and grow into the player that he is meant to be. Anderson could help mentor the young infielder, while also providing some power in their lineup.
The Giants are expected to spend big this winter, with players such as Cody Bellinger and Shohei Ohtani on their radar. But having somebody like Anderson around certainly can't hurt, and he could help the Giants improve on offense.
San Francisco finished in fourth place in the NL West with a record of 79-83. They also fired manager Gabe Kapler and replaced him with a proven winner in Bob Melvin.
Anderson has been a part of several great White Sox teams and is used to winning. He helped guide the White Sox to the postseason in 2020 and 2021. The Giants clearly want to win in 2024 and beyond and hope to put a difficult 2023 in the rearview mirror.
3. Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are another team that could use somebody like Anderson.
They do have two shortstops in tow already in Pablo Reyes and Trevor Story. However, one of them could be shifted to the designated hitter spot while the other moves to second base, giving Anderson a path at shortstop.
The Red Sox recently watched veteran slugger Justin Turner decline his player option and become a free agent. Adding Anderson on a one-year deal could help offset the departure of Turner, should that come to pass.
If Anderson could return to his old ways, it could benefit the Red Sox tremendously on the offensive side. They also would have several options at the shortstop position and throughout the infield, and it could even open the door for the Sox to finally trade Bobby Dalbec, who has struggled over the past several seasons.
Anderson is still 30 years old, so there is some upside with his bat, given that he is a former batting champion and Silver Slugger.
