MLB Rumors: Tim Anderson trade, Cubs deadline plans, a Yankees mistake
By Mark Powell
MLB Rumors: Is a Tim Anderson trade in the works?
Yes, the Chicago White Sox will likely sell at the trade deadline. No, that does not mean they will send away Tim Anderson, one of the best shortstops in baseball when healthy.
Anderson made back-to-back All-Star teams prior to this season, but like most of the White Sox, he has disappointed the fanbase. He’s slashing just .244/.284/.283 on the year with a .567 OPS. He’s on the other side of 30 and has one more club option left on his contract. As things currently stand, Anderson will become a free agent after the 2024 season.
Do the White Sox want to risk losing him for nothing? By trading Anderson now, Chicago can assure to all suitors that they’ll receive the All-Star for at least two postseason runs, if not more via a contract extension.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal suggested the Los Angeles Dodgers may be a fit, though he did backtrack slightly:
"“I mentioned that White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson ‘looks like a Dodger to me.’ My inference was that Anderson makes sense as a logical trade target for the Dodgers, but on second thought, I might have spoken too soon…ultimately, the Dodgers might want him as part of a package from the White Sox. Anderson and Cease, perhaps? Anderson and Liam Hendriks?”"
As Rosenthal mentions in his article, Anderson’s defensive metrics have dropped the last few years due to injury. His value is at an all-time low, and a team like the Dodgers might want him packaged with another star who can aid a postseason run.
The fit, despite Anderson having quite a few World Baseball Classic friends on the Dodgers roster, would improve dramatically if paired with Cease or Hendriks.