3 dream trades that would help Dodgers replace Gavin Lux at shortstop

Tim Anderson

The White Sox arguably had the most disappointing season in MLB last year. The offseason wasn't exactly kind to them, either.

After losing Jose Abreu, AJ Pollock and Josh Harrison (among others, including Liam Hendriks, who is dealing with a cancer diagnosis), Chicago paid $75 million (??) for Andrew Benintendi and $12 million for Mike Clevinger, who is now the subject of domestic violence allegations. This team did not get better.

They stand to lose two important members of the pitching staff in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez after 2023. Yasmani Grandal will be gone, too. What's the long-term outlook, here? This team badly needs Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez to stay healthy and Yoan Moncada to finally find some consistency. All of those remain massive "what ifs."

The AL Central is always wide open, but it's safe to say the Guardians and Twins are probably much better at the moment. And that's pretty depressing if you're a White Sox fan. So then what's the recourse?

Maybe see what you can get for Tim Anderson, who signed for $12.5 million in 2023 and then has a $14 million team option for 2024? The man has hit .300 or better the last four seasons and received All-Star nods in 2021 and 2022. The White Sox No. 1 prospect is Colson Montgomery, who is a shortstop. No. 9 prospect Jose Rodriguez just finished a full season at Double-A, and it was rock solid. They'll have future options before too long if they pulled the trigger here.

The Dodgers may not be crazy about Anderson's defense, but an upgrade is an upgrade. He's good enough, is a true leadoff hitter, and makes this current roster exponentially better. He's shown reverence for Jackie Robinson, too! Can't think of a better way to carry on his legacy in the modern game than by installing Anderson and Mookie Betts as teammates, honestly.

Plus, the price on Anderson might not be that crazy. He's missed time due to various injuries over the last four years, never playing more than 123 games in a single campaign over that span. The timeline checks out. Sign Shohei Ohtani next offseason, keep Anderson in the fold, and then chase the beloved Adames after 2024 when he hits the open market. Win-win-win.