(Audacy) For years, shortstop Tim Anderson was the epitome of reliability for the Chicago White Sox.
That's gone sideways in 2023 though, and it's conceivable that he finishes his season somewhere other than Chicago.
After hitting at least .300 each of the last four seasons, Anderson's average is sitting at .263 through Sunday while he carries a .611 OPS and 70 OPS+. He has also made a few key defensive gaffes in big moments this season, most recently making an error as he tried to rush a throw home in the ninth inning of the White Sox's loss against the Marlins on Saturday. Combine that with a knee injury that has limited him to 46 games, and it's been a bumpy year for the 29-year-old Anderson.
Anderson's struggles have come as White Sox as a whole have fallen far short of expectations for the second straight season. The AL Central is terrible, so the White Sox aren't out of the playoff hunt yet, but they're 29-38 and playing a brand of baseball that would usually make a team a seller at the trade deadline.
If the White Sox do decide to move Anderson, there will be interest in him, Jon Heyman of the New York Post and Audacy Sports said on the Mully & Haugh Show on Monday morning. Anderson is making $12.5 million in 2023, and his contract features a $14-million team option for 2024.
"Absolutely (there will be interest), I know there's a recency bias, but his career has been excellent," Heyman said. "He's been a .300 hitter, one of the top hitters in terms of batting average over the last four, five years and a solid shortstop.
"There are teams that need a shortstop, you mentioned the Dodgers, they're probably at the top of the list. I still question on the Braves whether (Orlando) Arcia is the answer, there are certainly several teams that need a shortstop.
"So, as I said, seller's market, particularly for pitching, but for shortstops too. Yes, if they did become a seller, they could do quite well between Giolito and Anderson and some others."
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