White Sox Bat Flip Anderson to Free Agency

By: Will Farlow 

The Chicago White Sox are one of Major League Baseball’s disappointing teams since 2021. The Southsiders entered this offseason with some tough decisions to make to improve their future. Tim Anderson has been a strong player since his first White Sox game in 2016. Anderson since then played his worst career major league season in 2023. Disrespect to other players, injury, and inconsistent play led to a shocking decision for GM Chris Getz. The White Sox earlier this afternoon declined the 14 million-dollar player option on Tim Anderson making him a free agent.

The #WhiteSox have declined the $14-million club option on shortstop Tim Anderson for the 2024 season ($1-million buyout). pic.twitter.com/11i0nootCD

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 4, 2023

Anderson showed strong, consistent hitting during his career as a shortstop. The former first round pick hit well , but still needed to improve his defense. I admired his ability to try to change the game with his famous bat flip. Anderson will also be in baseball history for his walkout homer in the White Sox win in the first MLB Field of Dreams game in 2021. Tim in my opinion did good things on and off the field , but poor personal choices clouded his reputation in the eyes of fans. The altercation of Anderson fighting Guardians infielder Jose Ramirez tipped the scale of his view in the eyes of owner Jerry Reinsdorf. Tim showed poor representation of White Sox baseball by inconsistency at the plate. The White Sox letting the star shortstop go sends a message to fans.

Chicago White Sox players need to take this as a sign that things can continue to change during the offseason. Chris Getz did not sign these players on the major league club. Tim Anderson’s current departure leaves the position open to top prospect Colson Montgomery in 2024. I see this as a step to the White Sox retool a positive for the team playing better moving forward. Fans will miss the times Anderson wore a White Sox uniform , but something had to be done to fix this team. Thank you Tim Anderson for the great memories , but its time to move on to a new player at shortstop. The former first round pick just got a shocking bat flip of his own from the White Sox. Good luck Tim Anderson you might need it this offseason.