Former batting champ Tim Anderson designated for assignment

MIAMI -- By designating for assignment veteran Tim Anderson and recalling rookie Xavier Edwards from Triple-A Jacksonville prior to Tuesday night’s 8-3 loss to the Red Sox at loanDepot park, the Marlins made a decision that impacts both the present and future.

This marks the second time in the past few weeks Miami has cut ties with an offseason acquisition. The club also designated for assignment backstop Christian Bethancourt in June, which allowed catching duties to be split between Nick Fortes and Ali Sánchez.

“It's never an easy day when you have to DFA one of your everyday players,” manager Skip Schumaker said. “Tim was awesome in the clubhouse. I didn't know him before this year. I knew of him as a player, obviously, but not as a person, and he was one of the harder workers I've ever been around. Always here early, infield work, doing his hitting routine, trying to figure out how to get back to where he was in 2021-2022, and that's the toughest part when the guys put in so much work and there was just no production, nothing to show for it."

Anderson, who was the club's only Major League free-agent signing ($5 million) over the offseason, didn't have the bounce-back campaign both he and the organization had hoped for. In 65 games, he posted a 30 OPS+, and his -1.2 FanGraphs WAR ranked last among 27 MLB shortstops with at least 240 plate appearances. Anderson also had a brief stint on the injured list with lower back tightness.

A two-time All-Star, Silver Slugger and batting champion, Anderson had become a free agent last winter after the White Sox declined his $14 million club option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout. A nagging left MCL sprain had impacted his ‘23 campaign, when Anderson compiled a slash line of .245/.286/.296 with 18 doubles, one home run, 25 RBIs, 52 runs scored and 13 stolen bases in 123 games. His .582 OPS ranked lowest among all qualified hitters.

The 31-year-old Anderson was striking out more, hitting the ball harder less often and running slower, in a post shared by MLB.com’s Mike Petriello. Though his fielding error on a potential inning-ending double play during the sixth inning played a big part in Sunday's loss to the Phillies, Anderson had 0 Defensive Runs Saved compared to a MLB-worst -16 in 2023.

“That's the tricky part of this game,” Jake Burger, who homered on Tuesday, said of his former Marlins and White Sox teammate. “It's the worst part of this business in my opinion. We wish him the best. He's a great teammate and a great friend to everybody in this clubhouse, so we wish him the best, and it's just the tough part of this game.”

This move allows the Marlins to give regular playing time to Edwards, who played shortstop at nearby North Broward Prep when the Padres selected him 38th overall in the 2018 MLB Draft. After his first taste of professional baseball that year, Edwards received more reps at second base, followed by shortstop, third base and center field.

When Miami recalled Edwards last September, he had begun getting early work at shortstop. Edwards garnered his first look at the position at the MLB level with Anderson on the bereavement list last month, and the organization saw enough to be encouraged moving forward.

“X Edwards is going to get a chance to play almost every day at shortstop,” Schumaker said. “We're probably going to give him a longer leash. There's going to be some growing pains most likely there, but he's athletic enough to figure it out. And I think he's going to be able to prove to us and to himself that he can play at shortstop every day at this level.”

Edwards, who was named the Jumbo Shrimp’s 2023 MVP after compiling an .886 OPS in 93 games, hit .295 in 84 at-bats to open his MLB career last season. He appeared on track for an Opening Day roster spot until missing substantial time with a left foot infection. He remained in the Minors with Anderson, Otto Lopez, Vidal Bruján and Emmanuel Rivera on the active roster. In the meantime, the switch-hitting Edwards compiled an .826 OPS in 26 games at Triple-A until Tuesday’s callup.

In Tuesday’s defeat, Edwards went 1-for-4 with a run scored from the sixth spot in the lineup. He also showed off his range up the middle on a pair of tough diving plays he was unable to finish.

“Get on base, set the table whatever spot I'm in the lineup, a lot of contact, stealing bases and playing solid defense,” Edwards said. “Just making the plays. I think I bring in some energy. I don't speak a whole lot, but I think through my play, I can bring some energy to the team. Hopefully that'll start something.”