In a surprising move, the Miami Marlins have designated infielder Tim Anderson for assignment, as reported by Craig Mish of SportsGrid and the Miami Herald. In his place, Xavier Edwards will be recalled to join the roster, according to Christina De Nicola of MLB.com.
Anderson, 31, was Miami’s sole major-league signing in free agency this past offseason. He joined the team on a one-year, $5 million contract after enduring a difficult final season with the Chicago White Sox. Despite a career-worst performance in 2022, where he slashed .245/.286/.296, both Anderson and the Marlins hoped he would bounce back to his previous form. From 2019-2022, Anderson was one of the league’s premier hitters, boasting an impressive .318/.347/.473 slash line.
However, Anderson’s struggles only deepened this season. He has recorded career-low marks in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and strikeout rate, while also posting the second-worst walk rate of his career. Over 241 plate appearances, Anderson is hitting .214/.237/.226 with no home runs, a 28.2% strikeout rate, and a 2.9% walk rate. His wRC+ of 31 is the lowest among the 230 hitters with at least 200 plate appearances this season, indicating he has been 69% worse than the league-average at the plate.
With the Marlins unlikely to trade Anderson, he is expected to be released. No team is likely to claim the remaining salary on waivers, and his performance over the past two seasons means he has little trade value. Once he clears release waivers, Anderson can sign with any club on a minor league or big league deal, with the new team only responsible for the prorated league minimum salary. The Marlins will be responsible for the bulk of his $5 million contract.
In contrast, Edwards, another former Rays prospect, has been impressive in Triple-A Jacksonville. Over 119 plate appearances, he is hitting .330/.376/.450, buoyed by a high .361 average on balls in play. Despite the small sample size, Edwards’ contact skills are evident, with a strikeout rate of just 9.2%. Known for his bat-to-ball skills and speed, Edwards offers a promising addition to the Marlins’ lineup.
The Marlins, currently pushing for a playoff spot, are making strategic moves to bolster their roster. While Anderson’s tenure in Miami has ended disappointingly, the team looks forward to seeing what Edwards can bring to the table as they continue their playoff push.
