Should the Sox move TA to second base.

[LITTLE NELL]

Bob Nightengale thinks that TA could win a Gold Glove playing second base.

https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fastball/news/should-white-sox-move-tim-anderson-to-second-base

[BigKlu59]

Bob Nightengale thinks that TA could win a Gold Glove playing second base.

https://www.si.com/fannation/mlb/fas...to-second-base

He’d be more than competent at that position. He has the speed, range to cover ground and a better than average arm, so you get a check on those 3. Do you think he’d get bored with the decrease in chances for put outs? As an aficionado of a player who played this position in your Moniker do you think he’d benefit from this kind of move?

[Bobby Thigpen]

I cannot give an informed opinion on this as I haven't watched any of the WBC to see how he has performed.

I will say this however- there is only one person who should be asked this question- Tim Anderson. I can't fathom the firestorm this would cause if it doesn't have TA's full support. That's the kind of move that can sink multiple seasons.

[Noneck]

I stopped reading after it was said that anderson is the sox longest tenured player. Leury Garcia. Does anyone do their job anymore?

[LITTLE NELL]

He’d be more than competent at that position. He has the speed, range to cover ground and a better than average arm, so you get a check on those 3. Do you think he’d get bored with the decrease in chances for put outs? As an aficionado of a player who played this position in your Moniker do you think he’d benefit from this kind of move?

Let’s face it, he’s no Luis Aparicio at shortstop.
I can’t answer if he would benefit from the move. With Andrus we have a guy who is better than TA at short and if Tim is OK with the move, why not give it a go.

[LITTLE NELL]

I stopped reading after it was said that anderson is the sox longest tenured player. Leury Garcia. Does anyone do their job anymore?

Maybe they know that Leury is on his way out.

[LITTLE NELL]

I cannot give an informed opinion on this as I haven't watched any of the WBC to see how he has performed.

I will say this however- there is only one person who should be asked this question- Tim Anderson. I can't fathom the firestorm this would cause if it doesn't have TA's full support. That's the kind of move that can sink multiple seasons.

He might say OK, during the rebuild about 4 or 5 years ago he was willing to move to CF if it would help the team.
For what it’s worth, I think he would have been a damn good centerfielder.

[Noneck]

Maybe they know that Leury is on his way out.

Please don’t support incompetence

[Frater Perdurabo]

To answer the original question:

For 2023? No. He might not have the precision of Andrus, but he has better range and athleticism than Andrus. I think Anderson had a down year defensively in 2022, as part of the overall team-wide slump. I think he’ll be better in 2023.

For 2024 and beyond? Maybe. It depends on Colson Montgomery, who is ticketed to play at Birmingham this year. Some scouts think Montgomery’s height and frame will eventually move him to third base, but most agree that he will begin as an average to above-average defensive shortstop.

If Montgomery (who already is said to have an advanced batting eye and hitting approach) forces his way into competition for a 2024 major league job, and if the Sox pick up Anderson’s 2024 option, then I think it should be an open question about who plays which position.

In other words, I don’t think the Sox should move Anderson to 2B as a primary move. But if Montgomery can hit major league pitching and if he’s a better defensive shortstop than TA, then yes, go ahead and move TA to 2B.

[ChiTownTrojan]

Of course Tim wouldn’t be on board with moving to 2B. He’s going to be a free agent in a couple years and deserves every opportunity to get paid SS money. If the Cubs are paying Dansby Swanson $175M or whatever it is, Tim should be in line for something similar, and those contracts don’t go to second basemen.

[Harwar]

He might say OK, during the rebuild about 4 or 5 years ago he was willing to move to CF if it would help the team.
For what it’s worth, I think he would have been a damn good centerfielder.

I've always thought that was where he should have been . seen him make some outstanding throws, and with his speed . that was some years ago though . oh well.

[Noneck]

Of course Tim wouldn’t be on board with moving to 2B. He’s going to be a free agent in a couple years and deserves every opportunity to get paid SS money. If the Cubs are paying Dansby Swanson $175M or whatever it is, Tim should be in line for something similar, and those contracts don’t go to second basemen.

The shift rule may increase 2b salaries. There have been some high priced 2nd basemen in the past.

[LITTLE NELL]

The shift rule may increase 2b salaries. There have been some high priced 2nd basemen in the past.

I imagine Joe Morgan, Craig Biggio, Jeff Kent and Ryne Sandberg would be recipients of some pretty big contracts.

[voodoochile]

The shift rule may increase 2b salaries. There have been some high priced 2nd basemen in the past.

Good point. Rangy 2B who can hit will be in high demand.

[HomeFish]

Of course Tim wouldn’t be on board with moving to 2B. He’s going to be a free agent in a couple years and deserves every opportunity to get paid SS money. If the Cubs are paying Dansby Swanson $175M or whatever it is, Tim should be in line for something similar, and those contracts don’t go to second basemen.

Counterpoint: if Tim establishes that he is an everyday SS who can also play 2B competently, that will only increase his value as a free agent.