Brian Anderson got his wish Tuesday. The White Sox traded the underachieving outfielder to the Boston Red Sox for veteran OF Mark Kotsay. After being sent down to Triple-A Charlotte last week, Anderson asked Kenny Williams to trade him so he could have a fresh start somewhere and get more everyday playing time.
This deal was long overdue. Anderson is a solid defensive player and has a great arm, but never quite lived up to his highly touted abilities.
In the meantime, I think Kotsay is a great pickup for the Chisox that could pay dividends right away. He gives the Sox another left-handed bat in the lineup and can be used as a late-inning replacement in the outfield. Since 1998, he ranks third among outfielders with 113 assists behind Bobby Abreu and Vladimir Guerrero. He also plays first base so he can back up Paul Konerko. Most important, his lifetime batting average as a pinch-hitter is .373, an area that is sadly lacking this year for the Sox.
The Red Sox designated Kotsay for assignment last week. He started the season on the DL after back surgery, and has played in only 27 games this season. Despite the lack of playing time, I think he will fit in well on the South Side.
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