The Miami Marlins have made a significant roster move by designating veteran shortstop Tim Anderson for assignment. This decision comes in the wake of Anderson's continuing struggles at the plate and in the field this season.
Anderson, who signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Marlins in the offseason, has been unable to find his form. Over the course of 65 games, Anderson has posted a disappointing .214/.237/.226 slash line. His strikeout rate has also surged to a career-high 28.2% of his plate appearances, and he has managed just three extra-base hits in 234 at-bats.
Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies perhaps exemplified Anderson's struggles this season, as he committed an error, further complicating his tenure with the Marlins. Despite his two-time All-Star status and his reputation as a former batting champion, Anderson's overall career OPS+ sits at 95, while his most recent 765 plate appearances have yielded a worrying 51 OPS+.
With the Marlins holding a 30-54 record and the July 30 trade deadline approaching, the team is likely to be active sellers. The decision to designate Anderson for assignment is part of a broader strategy to refresh the roster with younger talent. Stepping up in place of Anderson is infielder Xavier Edwards.
Edwards, throughout his 33 games, has shown promise with a .287/.333/.333 slash line, translating to an 80 OPS+. Although his numbers don't quite reach elite levels, they represent an improvement over Anderson's recent performance and offer a glimmer of hope for a team in the rebuilding phase.
Alongside Edwards, Vidal Bruján is also among the internal options to fill the shortstop position for the Marlins. The organization is clearly looking to its younger players to step up and make the most of the opportunity.
This roster shake-up underscores the Marlins’ challenging season and their commitment to rebuilding with an eye toward the future. Anderson’s designation for assignment marks a notable moment in the Marlins' strategy to turn their fortunes around.