Elvis Andrus at all times knew Tim Anderson would turn into an All-Star shortstop.
But Andrus by no means envisioned being Anderson’s teammate — not to mention taking part in so nicely at brief that Anderson’s absence from the Chicago White Sox lineup has been minimized.
Now that Anderson is ramping again from surgical procedure to restore a sagittal band tear on the center finger of his left hand and probably returning subsequent week, the query of whether or not to maintain Andrus at brief looms massive down the stretch.
“Right now Elvis is the shortstop,” performing supervisor Miguel Cairo mentioned Tuesday. “When Tim comes back, he will be put at shortstop. That’s his position.”
Well, that solutions that query.
But is it the proper reply?
No one ought to lose his job due to an damage, although Sox followers appear to be positive with supervisor Tony La Russa shedding his after his coronary heart ailment. But Anderson is a a lot totally different story. The Sox additionally might use Anderson as the first designated hitter and preserve Andrus at brief, an choice that’s a bit sophisticated due to the necessity for Eloy Jimenez and Yasmani Grandal to DH every now and then.
Andrus mentioned he is aware of he’s a seat-holder at brief for Anderson and agrees with the choice.
“I understand that part, I think we all understand that part,” Andrus mentioned earlier than Wednesday sport in opposition to the Colorado Rockies at Guaranteed Rate Field. “That’s his place, and he’s earned it, each little bit of it. So when he comes again, we’re all going to be very happy to have him again.
“We know the impact he makes when he’s healthy and in the lineup. So whenever that happens I’ll be more than happy to give his position back. And wherever the manager believes I should be where I can help the team win, I’ll be more than happy to do it.”
So it’s a performed deal? Maybe.
“Keep in mind, Tim’s going to have missed six-plus weeks or at least six weeks (if he returns next week),” common supervisor Rick Hahn mentioned Tuesday. “So throwing him proper again in there every single day may not be the very best name.
“So it’s good to have some alternatives, and in both Elvis and TA, (we have) guys who are fundamentally looking to help the team win and somehow contribute to that. Knock on wood, if we get to the point where they’re both healthy and active and contributing, we’ll have one of those good problems about how to incorporate them both into the offense.”
The operative phrase is “offense,” as a result of defensively Andrus has the sting.
The 14-year veteran has made an on the spot impression since signing final month after his launch from the Oakland A’s. Andrus was hitting .305 with 5 dwelling runs and 20 RBIs coming into Wednesday. Just as necessary, he has been good within the subject with no errors in 23 video games. Anderson dedicated 12 errors in 79 video games at brief and was a part of an total defensive collapse that prevented the Sox from occurring a run. Now they’re on one, and Andrus and Romy Gonzalez have been massive explanation why.
Cairo can pair Anderson and Andrus collectively within the subject by shifting Andrus to second base. Andrus mentioned he hasn’t labored out at second but and doesn’t really feel the necessity to except advised.
“Whenever we have that conversation, I’ll be down for working at second or third or whatever,” he mentioned. “It’s not really that different (at second). Just different angles. The last few years because of the shift I’ve been able to play a lot of second base (while at shortstop), so I don’t think it will be that hard.”
Anderson is without doubt one of the staff leaders and the face of the group. It wouldn’t be a simple dialog for Cairo to persuade him Andrus ought to stay as the first shortstop in the intervening time. But that’s an choice the Sox ought to take into account. Factoring within the hand damage, Anderson must be understanding if the Sox consider it’s in the very best curiosity of the staff. He actually would have the job full time once more in 2023.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens once TA gets back because obviously you’re talking about one of the premier players in the leagues, and Elvis is absolutely fantastic,” nearer Liam Hendriks mentioned Tuesday. “He’s precisely what this staff has wanted, and it’ll be an fascinating idea for the entrance workplace to determine what goes on there, in my eyes anyway. To match them each on the market could be incredible as a result of they create an vitality stage, they create an pleasure stage you don’t see fairly often across the league.
“I can tell you my performances tend to be a little bit better when Tim’s out there just because he yells at me enough. I need that.”
It’s no coincidence Andrus’s arrival has coincided with the current Sox surge. He mentioned it was “refreshing” to be again in a playoff race and is aware of it’s Anderson’s spot when he’s prepared.
“I’ve had a few conversations with Tim,” mentioned Andrus, who led off Wednesday. “I’ve identified Tim since he received to the massive leagues. He’s a type of guys that you just don’t need to play in opposition to. He’s at all times asking questions, and you would see he wished to be taught every single day to be a greater participant and a greater particular person. I don’t assume he wants an excessive amount of recommendation from me. I’m in all probability the one who must ask him for recommendation.
“It’s been really good talking to him, and now I see why he’s such a good player.”
Things can change within the subsequent week. Maybe Cairo received’t even have to decide on between his All-Star shortstop and the Sox’s stretch-run MVP. But Cairo has been constant in a single factor — getting by right now is the one factor on his thoughts.
“Today is important,” Cairo mentioned Wednesday morning. “Tomorrow, we wait to get there.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com