GLENDALE, Ariz. – Tim Anderson was here on Feb. 5, almost two weeks before he needed to be for the White Sox’ first full workout of spring training next Monday.
“To get out of the snow,’’ Anderson said Tuesday. “Get out of Chicago as fast as I can.’’
Anderson, the Sox’ Alabama born-and-raised shortstop, made his family’s home in the south suburbs this winter, experiencing his first full Chicago winter. It was a fine time to make that move, with temperatures falling to 23 degrees below zero for a two brutal days.
“I figure it’s going to help me early in the season when I’m freezing a little bit,’’ he said after working out in the Arizona sun. “I will have been through worse. So hopefully it helps me get a head start on everybody else.’’
The best part of winter was playing in the snow with his baby girl, probably between reading reports about the Sox’ interest in free agent Manny Machado. At SoxFest, Anderson made clear his desire to be the Sox shortstop, a position Machado might want to play should he sign with the Sox.
“Once he makes a decision we’ll see what happens,’’ Anderson said Tuesday. “Everybody is excited about it and we’ll see what direction they go. I have to worry about myself and what I have to do to have a great season.’’
It’s a topic Anderson, 25, who made strides with his defense during the second half of the season, probably wouldn’t mind see drifting away.
“I feel like I’ve touched on it quite a lot, and I got my point across as to how I feel about it,’’ he said. “But I’m going to continue to be me and continue to have fun and work hard.’’
It’s not known whether Machado would expect to play shortstop, where the Dodgers used him after acquiring him from the Orioles last season, or third base, where the Sox have a greater need.
It Machado signs, and if he gets to play shortstop, so be it.
“That don’t bother me,’’ Anderson said. “Whatever the White Sox want. They have it all laid out on how they want to win a championship. As long as I’m in, as long as they fit me in some kind of way, I’m down.
“It’s not my call about what position I want. I can speak as loud as I want saying ‘I’m a shortstop, I’m not moving.’ But at the end of the day it’s the White Sox’ decision and I respect that. It’s a business and they know what is best. I’m riding that train.
“I’m here to get ready, work and have a great season,’’ he said. Try to stay in my own lane.’’
Anderson seems to be in a good mood. He has an edge, but overall he’s upbeat and positive about where he’s at and the state of the Sox.
It’s the start of spring training, after all. All sunshine, gentle desert breezes and balloons.
“I’m ready; it’s going to be a cool year,’’ he said. “A lot of positive things – the positive energy in the locker room, a lot of new faces, let’s together as a team and bounce back from last year.’’
NOTES: Anderson, Yolmer Sanchez, Nicky Delmonico, Daniel Palka, Adam Engel, Brandon Guyer and prospects Eloy Jimenez and Nick Madrigal are among the early arrivals to camp.
*Third baseman Jake Burger, the 2017 first-rounder recovering from a ruptured Achilles, took part in hitting and light infield drills. Burger is expected back in June. Outfielder Micker Adolfo, coming back from Tommy John surgery, is also in camp.
