The White Sox are in talks with shortstop Elvis Andres and are a “likely” landing spot for him, Jon Heyman of the New York Post tweets. However, an agreement is not yet complete. Andrus was released by the Athletics yesterday afternoon.
Andrus, 33, was released by the Athletics yesterday as Oakland continued its shift toward a youth movement. He is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, although the A’s were certainly motivated to sever ties with Andrus as his contract includes the option of a vested player. The eight-year, $120 million deal Andrus signed back in 2013 included a $15 million option for the 2023 season, which counts as a player option if Andrus is both traded (as he was from Texas to Oakland two years ago ) as well as 550 records accumulates appearances this season. With 386 trips to the plate under his belt, Andrus was well on his way to that mark, and the A’s, apparently unable to find a taker at close (due in no small part to this option), broke ties entirely this week.
The option should be a moot point now, as Andrus has been released from that contract and will sign a new pact with whichever team he ultimately decides to join — be it ChiSox or another potential suitor. The Sox and every other club only have to pay Andrus the prorated league minimum for any time he’s spent on the major league roster. That amount would be deducted from what the A’s still owe him, but Oakland is on the hook for the vast majority of the remainder of this season’s $14 million salary. Andrus will be back as a free agent at the end of the season.
Andrus’ racquet has deteriorated significantly since his peak in 2017 when he hit .297/.337/.471 with the Rangers with 20 homers, 25 steals and an outstanding shortstop defense. He’s hit .237/.301/.373 on the season, a tepid performance but one that falls just short of the league average of .243/.312/.396 for racquets in 2022. He was about three percent worse than average when weighted for his sprawling home park as measured by wRC+ (97). Andrus has hit eight home runs – already his most since 2019 – and hit 24 doubles and a 7-for-11 performance on stolen base attempts.
Defensively, Andrus has drawn mixed reviews. Defensive Runs Saved (-6) feels this was one of Andrus’ worst seasons with the glove, although Ultimate Zone Rating (2.6) and Outs Above Average (zero) feel he’s average or slightly above was. He has nine errors (five fielding, four throwing) in 848 fielding innings this season.
The White Sox jumped out as an obvious landing spot for Andrus when he was sacked as they recently lost shortstop Tim Anderson because of a torn ligament in his left hand for four to six weeks. Beginner Lenin Sosa got first looks at shortstop in his place, but only scored a .118/.143/.235 slash through 35 plate appearances.
Even with a general decline in his ability as he hits his mid-30s, Andrus appears to be an upgrade for a White Sox team plagued by injuries during a generally disappointing season. And for all the injuries and struggles they’ve endured this year, the South Siders are still only two games behind the lead in the American League Central, so there should be enough motivation to bring some veteran aid to a position sudden need.