The White Sox are in talks with shortstop Elvis Andrus and are a “probable” landing spot for him, Jon Heyman of the New York Post tweets. However, no agreement has yet been reached. Andrus was released by the Athletics yesterday afternoon.
Andrus, 33, was released from Athletics yesterday as Oakland continued its shift to a youth movement. He is in the last guaranteed year of his contract, although the A’s were certainly motivated to cut ties with Andrus because of the unreserved player option on his contract. The eight-year $120 million contract Andrus signed in 2013 included a $15 million option for the 2023 season that vests as a player option if Andrus both trades (as he was from Texas to Oakland two years ago) and collects 550 records. performances this season. With 386 trips to the plate under his belt, Andrus was on pace to hit that target, and the A’s, clearly unable to find a taker by the trade deadline (not least due to that option) , cut ties completely this week.
The option should now be a moot point as Andrus has been fired from that contract and will sign a new pact with whichever team he ultimately chooses – be it the ChiSox or another potential suitor. The Sox and any other club are only required to pay Andrus the prorated league minimum for the time spent on the Major League roster. That amount would be deducted from whatever the A’s still owe him, but Oakland is on the hook for the vast majority of the rest of this season’s $14 million salary. Andrus will be a free agent again at the end of the season.
Andrus’ bat has deteriorated significantly since its peak in 2017, when he hit .297/.337/.471 with 20 home runs, 25 steals and standout defense at shortstop with the Rangers. He hits .237/.301/.373 during the season, a lukewarm output but one that is just below the league average of .243/.312/.396 for hitters in 2022. He is about three percent worse than average, when weighted for his spacious residential park, measured by wRC+ (97). Andrus hit eight home runs – his most since 2019 – to go along with 24 doubles and a 7-for-11 shown in stolen base attempts.
Defensively, Andrus has drawn mixed reviews. Defensive Runs Saved (-6) believes this was one of Andrus’ worst seasons with the gauntlet, though Ultimate Zone Rating (2.6) and Outs Above Average (zero) feel he’s been average or slightly above. He committed nine errors (five fielding, four throwing) this season through 848 innings in the field.
The White Sox stood out as an obvious landing spot for Andrus the moment he was released, as they recently lost a short stop Tim Anderson for anywhere between four and six weeks due to a torn ligament in his left hand. rookie Lenyn Sosa got the first handful of looks at shortstop in his place, but only posted a .118/.143/.235 slash through 35 at bats.
Even with some overall decline in his skills as he progresses into his mid-thirties, Andrus looks set to be an upgrade for a White Sox team that has been plagued by injury during an overall disappointing season. And for all the injuries and struggles they’ve endured this year, the South Siders are still just two games behind the American League Central lead, so there should be plenty of motivation to enlist some experienced help on a position. of sudden need.
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