Marlins DFA Tim Anderson
The Miami Marlins announced Tuesday they designated shortstop Tim Anderson for assignment.
Infielder Xavier Edwards was recalled from Triple-A Jacksonville in a corresponding move.
Anderson, 31, joined the Marlins on a one-year, $5-million contract in February with hopes of a bounce-back season. Instead, he's been one of the worst hitters in baseball, slashing .214/.237/.226 (30 OPS+) with no home runs, nine RBIs, and 68 strikeouts over 65 games.
Despite his struggles as part of the National League's worst offense, Anderson had remained Miami's primary shortstop over the past month, starting five of the team's last seven contests.
The move continues a stunningly fast fall for the two-time All-Star. He emerged as a star over his first seven big-league seasons with the Chicago White Sox, winning an AL batting title in 2019 and a Silver Slugger in 2020. Anderson also provided plenty of highlight-reel moments, most notably his walk-off homer into a cornfield at the 2021 Field of Dreams game in Iowa.
The first signs of his decline became evident in 2022 when he only played in 79 contests due to injury. In 2023, the final year of his long-term deal with the White Sox, Anderson put up a then career-worst .582 OPS with only one homer in 123 games. Chicago made no attempt to re-sign its one-time franchise shortstop last offseason.
Two years ago, Tim Anderson was an All-Star; today DFA'd by one of the weakest lineups in MLB.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) July 2, 2024
It's not hard to see why -- striking out more, hitting less hard, running slower, fielding worse, all bad things. But I'm having a hard time remembering a trend like this, so quickly. pic.twitter.com/o0rvWUhNZZ
Edwards, who is batting seventh on Tuesday, started three games at shortstop earlier this year while Anderson was on the bereavement list. The 24-year-old hit .330/.376/.450 with one homer, six RBIs, and five stolen bases over 26 contests at Triple-A this season.
Edwards and utility player Vidal Bruján, who's made 19 appearances at shortstop this year, are the likeliest candidates to take over the position going forward. Otto Lopez, the Marlins' primary second baseman, also has significant experience playing shortstop in the minors.