Writer Predicts Dodgers Trade 4 Prospects for All-Star Shortstop This Season

This would be quite the splash.

The Los Angeles Dodgers don't necessarily need to make a trade for a shortstop this season. Miguel Rojas has looked good in limited time in spring training, and they could just roll with him as their full-time shortstop for this season. However, Rojas has only had two career seasons with an OPS+ above 100, and one of those was in 2020 when he played just 40 games.

So while Rojas is a plus-defender, you don't really know what you're going to get with his bat — especially over the course of a long season.

And the Dodgers, already without the bats of Trea Turner and Justin Turner in the lineup this season — and now without Gavin Lux — may want to add a little more thump in that starting nine. And if they do, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report has just the trade target: Chicago White Sox All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson. Here's his proposal:

To LAD: SS Tim Anderson

To CWS: 2B Michael Busch, RHP Landon Knack, OF Jose Ramos, RHP Joel Ibarra

Anderson is one of the most electrifying shortstops in baseball, and is one of the league's best hitters over the last few seasons. In 202 games over the last two years, Anderson is hitting .306 with an OPS of .778 and a WRC+ of 117. He's made the All-Star team in both seasons.

Anderson is not a plus-defender like Rojas, but he would slide in at the top of the Dodgers lineup, and bring a lot of what Turner brought as the team' shortstop last season.

As for the return, the only headliner prospect is Michael Busch. While Busch likely has a solid career ahead of him, his path is pretty blocked. It seems likely the Dodgers trade one of Busch or Andy Pages in a win-now type move, so this would be the perfect place to do it. 

Here's a part of Reuter's reasoning for the deal:

"The Chicago White Sox are at a crossroads following a disappointing 2022 season, and a slow start could mean a summer fire sale.

"Anderson, 29, leads all of baseball with a .318 batting average since the start of 2019, and he was an All-Star for the second time last year despite injuries limiting him to 79 games. He is in the final guaranteed season of his contract, but he also has a $14 million club option for 2024, so he can be more than just a rental.

"That will mean a higher asking price, so this proposed package has the Dodgers sending an MLB-ready Top 100 prospect in Michael Busch and three other quality pieces with impact potential."

Anderson in the Dodgers lineup would be quite the splash addition. While he wouldn't bring the same defense as Rojas, he would more than make up for it on the offensive side of the ball. Also, it would allow Rojas to slide back into his depth role, which should make the Dodgers a little more comfortable heading into the 2023 season.