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Chicago White Sox Rumors: Could Manny Machado and Bryce Harper be South Side bound?

By Paul Ashley

July 07 2014: Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) greets Baltimore Orioles third base Manny Machado (13) before a MLB game at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images)
July 07 2014: Washington Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper (34) greets Baltimore Orioles third base Manny Machado (13) before a MLB game at Nationals Park, in Washington D.C. (Photo by Tony Quinn/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /
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Chicago White Sox
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 05: Manny Machado #8 of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Joc Pederson celebrate Machado”u201aÄôs 2nd inning 2-run homer in game two of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium on Friday, October 5, 2018 in in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Varley/Digital First Media/Torrance Daily Breeze via Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox currently have an everyday shortstop and an everyday third baseman, however, Machado would be a significant upgrade for the team.

Tim Anderson is the current starting shortstop for the White Sox. He is a home-grown player in Chicago as he was drafted by the organization as the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 draft.  Anderson is signed through the 2024 season if two team options are picked up in 2023 and 2024.

During his third major league season, Anderson put together a 2.4 oWAR and a 1.0 dWAR through 153 games played, according to baseball-reference.  He compiled 20 home runs, 64 runs batted in, and a .687 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).

Carlos Sanchez is the current starting third baseman for the White Sox.  He is also a home-grown player as he was signed by Chicago as an amateur free agent in 2009.  He is not signed to a long-term contract, but he is in his arbitration years with his first go around in free agency currently on place to follow the 2022 season.

Sanchez compiled 155 games played for the White Sox and put together a 2.0 oWAR alongside a 1.1 dWAR.  Although he spent the majority of the season at third base, he also filled in at second base and shortstop for a few games.  During the 2018 season, he compiled 52 extra base hits and a .678 OPS.

As Sanchez has the ability to play multiple infield positions, he could be a very versatile bench piece for the White Sox if they are able to bring Machado into the mix.  It would be a large upgrade to the team to bring in a shortstop/third baseman that compiled 37 HRs, 107 RBI, and a .905 OPS through 162 games split between the Orioles and Dodgers.

Even though Machado held a -1.2 dWAR with the Orioles at shortstop, he improved to a 1.2 dWAR with the Dodgers at the same position.  Regardless of if Machado would end up at shortstop or third base (and if Anderson stays at shortstop or moves to third base), a left side of an infield that featured two young, talented players would be very exciting to watch for many years to come.

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