2 Reasons why the Marlins Shouldn't Sign Tim Anderson

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The Miami Marlins still haven't figured out who will be starting shortstop this season, and with Spring Training games about to begin, they are trying to figure it out as soon as possible. The Marlins reportedly offered Tim Anderson a one year contract but it has not been agreed upon, as Anderson is wanting a multi-year deal. The White Sox declined Anderson's $14 million option at the end of the season as he was at the end of his 6 year, $25 million contract and he made over $12 million last year with the White Sox. That is a much heavier price than the Marlins or any team has been willing to pay so far, as Anderson remains unsigned as a result. The Marlins need a shortstop but they need a long term option that will fit their team and payroll needs. Here are two reasons why the Marlins should avoid signing Tim Anderson.

The Marlins need a shortstop but not Tim Anderson

Reason 1 - Performance

Tim Anderson was a highly touted shortstop with years left in his career after his 2018 breakout season where he hit .240 with 20 home runs, 64 RBI, and 26 stolen bases. Anderson continued hitting home runs and followed that full season with 2 more stellar full seasons with 18 and 17 home runs each and his average hoved around .300. The Marlins would welcome such production, yet in the past two season Anderson has not come close to those numbers and he is only getting older.

Tim Anderson will turn 31 in the early parts of the 2024 season and last season he hit only 1 home run, drove in 25 and hit .245. The season prior Anderson hit 6 home runs and 25 RBI while hitting .301, Both of these past two seasons were not the production the Marlins would want from a shortstop making millions of dollars a year. Anderson's 2023 season could have been a fluke, but it appears his power has dwindled and he is left to be a top 30 shortstop at best, and a top 60 at worst.

Reason 2 - Other better options

The Marlins have several options that are still out there as free agents, and they have shown interest in three other shortstop options, including Adelberto Mondesi, Amed Rosario, and Nick Ahmed. Adelberto Mondesi has played only one full season in 2019 playing in 102 games and he produced well, hitting .263 with 20 doubles, 10 triples, 9 home runs, 62 RBI, and 43 stolen bases. The Marlins would much rather have that production that either of Anderson's past two seasons, and his speed is a huge plus and would give the Marlins lineup a huge boost in versatility.

Nick Ahmed is another story but his production is still above Anderson's 2023 season. Last year Ahmed hit .212 with 2 home runs, 17 RBI, and 5 stolen bases which isn't great, and he probably is the worst option out there, but he still beats Anderson's 1 home run and cost nowhere near $14 million. Anderson will cost more than any of the options most likely, however, if he is cheaper than Mondesi or Rosario, he could be a steal.

Amed Rosario is also a good option and provides more production at the plate than Tim Anderson. Rosario's 2023 stats were decent as he hit 6 home runs, drove in 58, stole 15 bases, and hit .263. Rosario also impressed hitting 8 triples and 25 doubles which helped him slug .408 when he was with the Dodgers for 48 games. In 2022 Rosario hit a league leading 9 triples, in addition to his solid production of 26 doubles, 11 home runs, 71 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and his .283 average. If Rosario can bounce back to that level of production he will be a good comeback story and should be a much less expensive one than Anderson, and at only age 28, he should have multiple years of solid production left for the Marlins if they sign him to a multi-year deal. His production and pay along with Mondesi would be a much preferred signing to Anderson, unless of course Anderson can both make a comeback and will sign for a low salary.

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