Cardinals: 6 stars St. Louis should trade for this off-season

BOSTON, MA - MAY 6: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox safely slides into third base as Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox bobbles the ball in the third inning at Fenway Park on May 6, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MAY 6: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox safely slides into third base as Rafael Devers #11 of the Boston Red Sox bobbles the ball in the third inning at Fenway Park on May 6, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 06: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox bats in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on August 06, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 06: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox bats in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on August 06, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

SS Tim Anderson

Things went horribly wrong for the Chicago White Sox in 2022, and that could lead to some shakeups on the roster before the 2023 season. With Tim Anderson entering his age-30 season, they could chose to get value for him and build around their young core of Luis Robert and Dylan Cease.

In an injury shortened 2022 season, Anderson slashed .301/.339/.395 with 6 HR and 25 RBI in just 79 games for the South Side. From 2019-2021, Anderson consistently had one of the best batting averages in all of baseball and his OPS sat above .800. Being healthy in 2023 should lead him bat to this old ways.

Trading for Anderson would give the club their everyday shortstop and allow Tommy Edman to slide back to second base, easily making St. Louis the best defense in baseball. Anderson would also give the Cardinals another big bat in their order which is badly needed. While the Cardinals are circling the free agent shortstop waters, this move would help them avoid handing out a mega-deal.

Anderson plays the game with a level of flair and excitement that should light a fire underneath the Cardinals dug out night in and night out. Anderson is a wining player, and St. Louis would greatly benefit from his presence on the club.

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