White Sox SS Anderson willing to change positions: 'It doesn't matter'

It's been a tumultuous season for Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, who said he is willing to switch positions if it means he will get an opportunity to prove this campaign was an outlier.

"Really, at this point, it doesn't matter," Anderson said, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. "I'm a shortstop or second baseman. It's whatever to allow my career to keep going. I'm not going to wrestle with a team that I'm this or I'm that.

"It’s just an honor and a blessing to fit in any lineup as a starter considering how hard this game is. Short would be my first choice, but I also understand how older guys are viewed, now that I'm stepping into that phase, which sucks and is different. I just want to continue to keep building on what I started and get back to what I used to be."

Anderson scuffled through a career-worst season, slashing .245/.287/.297 with one home run and 122 strikeouts in 122 games for the 100-loss White Sox. Prior to this campaign, the two-time All-Star hit .300 or greater in four consecutive seasons and won the AL batting title in 2019.

The 30-year-old explained an MCL injury sustained in April had a big effect on his ability to produce at the plate.

"I'm really not trying to make that excuse," Anderson said. "This year has been a lot of searching. The body is working a lot differently, especially coming off injury. I just could never grab hold to what I was searching for."

The 30-year-old, who will become a free agent if the White Sox decline his $14-million option for next season, understands if the organization moves on from him, but said he would like to play on the South Side of Chicago next year.

"All I can do is understand whatever process it is and live with it. It’s not my decision if I want to stay or leave," Anderson said.

"I just have to hang with them. I mean I would love to (stay), but I understand if I don't fit into what they are trying to do."