Best Available MLB Players on 2023 Trade Block: Tim Anderson
Tim Anderson‘s downfall will be one of baseball’s greatest mysteries. It may seem unrealistic for the White Sox to get anything for him, but they have to try dumping him. Let’s examine where he could end up ahead of the 2023 MLB Trade Deadline.
The Numbers
Stats as of July 21, 2023: .235/.274/.275, 0 HR, 15 RBI, 9 SB, -0.7 fWAR
No, that big zero in the home run column isn’t a typo. I don’t know what the hell happened to Anderson’s bat but it’s completely gone. From 2019-2022, Anderson batted well over .300 and helped the White Sox make two playoff appearances in that span. Now, he can barely even get on base and is playing mediocre defense. It’s hard to make a case for why teams should target the shortstop, but his career says this isn’t the type of player Anderson is. He’s always been an above-average hitter and has shown the ability to be quick on the basepath and defensively. Contending teams would be trading for the player he was, hopeful that the hit tool would return.
Potential Destinations
Trey Daubert won’t like this one, but the Red Sox are being thrown around with Anderson. Chad Jennings of The Athletic proposed an “all-in” trade that would send prospects Nick Yorke, Wikelman Gonzalez, and Ryan Fernandez to the White Sox for Lucus Giolito and Anderson. Sure, Giolito would be a great addition to the Red Sox staff and provide stability in the front end of the rotation. On paper, Anderson would help the Red Sox middle infield issue until Trevor Story is back. I don’t think sticking him in Fenway Park and the Boston media will do good for anyone, and Yorke and Gonzalez are big pieces of the Red Sox’s future.
Anderson is under club control until 2024, providing a cushion for him to bounce back. The Dodgers don’t have much middle infield depth, so a package to L.A. could work. The Atlanta Braves have bounced around shortstops as well, and perhaps a powerhouse could bring the spark back in Anderson’s bat.
The Verdict
Whether it’s Boston, L.A., or Atlanta, Anderson will have to be part of a package. I don’t see teams taking Anderson alone unless they’re willing to take such a big risk. The Red Sox proposal makes sense on paper, but knowing general manager Chaim Bloom, a deal probably won’t happen. I think the Dodgers could take a nice swing at Anderson and can afford the risk. The other possibility is the White Sox can’t get a good enough offer, and Anderson tries to rebound in 2024 for his contract year.
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