Tim Anderson is happy for his new chapter with the Marlins: 'My smile is back'

CHICAGO (670 The Score) – Former White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is grateful for a new chapter of his career with the Miami Marlins.

After Anderson spent his first eight MLB seasons on the South Side, the White Sox declined his player option for the 2024 season and let him walk in free agency this past offseason. They did so after Anderson had an unproductive 2023 campaign in which he hit .245 with a .582 OPS while battling injuries.

Back in Chicago on Thursday as his Marlins are in the city to play the Cubs, Anderson reflected on his White Sox tenure and detailed his need for a new beginning. When he was in Chicago, it was often noted that the White Sox’s fortunes went as Anderson’s did. He admitted it was nice to break free from the pressure that accompanied that line of thought.

“It takes a whole team to win,” Anderson said at Wrigley Field. “I am glad to be out from under that umbrella, and I can play the game for free. I can just go out and play my role.”

After being let go by the White Sox in November, the 30-year-old Anderson went unsigned until reaching a one-year, $5-million deal with the Marlins in late February. In his first 17 games with Miami, Anderson is hitting .267 with no homers, two RBIs and a .596 OPS.

“You always know that no matter what, things will eventually come to an end on the business side of things,” Anderson said of the White Sox declining his $14-million player option for 2024. "I understood that. I knew I would have to go at some point because I had asked them for extensions every year. So that was in my thought process. You just eventually realize you are not going to spend your career with one team.”

Anderson was an All-Star for the White Sox in 2021 and 2022. Before the team let him go, he had a meeting with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and the front office.

"It was a good conversation,” Anderson said. “I talked with Jerry. We also had a few phone calls about things. I had some talks in the offseason with (general manager Chris) Getz. We all understood that it was time for them to go their way and me to go mine. It has been great for me since then. I am very happy and in a great place.”

Anderson’s walk-off homer to win the Field of Dreams Game in 2021 was a highlight of his career – “People are never going to forget that game,” he said – and he was also asked how he’d like White Sox fans to remember him.

“They can think any way they want to,” he said. “That is not really up to me. Look, the last year I spent here was really tough. Now to make it through and be on the other side, I am very happy. I am in a great place. My smile is back. I am back on my journey.

“I am happy and not worried about anything else. I am excited and continue to get back to being the player I used to be. Last year really took a lot out of me, if you consider what my years were like before then. Now all I want to do is to better myself as a person and as a player.”

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine .