CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson wants to be the White Sox shortstop.

The 30-year-old veteran has expressed that long-term desire on numerous occasions, especially with his six-year, $25 million deal nearing a close via a $14 million option and $1 million buyout as the last step for 2024. But those plans seem to have changed.

His team entered the two-game Cubs series as close to the last-place Royals as the first-place Twins in the American League Central. With Anderson slashing .378/.439/.432 with four RBIs and four runs scored in the second half, he has become a frequently-mentioned trade target for contending teams.

Much like pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn, though, the possibility of Anderson’s eight-year run in Chicago coming to a close won’t affect his on-field action. In fact, it’s nothing he even ponders.

“Just play,” Anderson said. “I don’t really worry about anything. Control what I can control, and whatever happens is going to happen anyway. It’s out of my control.

“It’s a business. That’s the part you look at. Just roll with it. You can’t really speak on a whole lot. Just play and see what happens.”

Anderson has nine multihit efforts in his last 19 games and six in the second half (nine games), helping to erase an uncharacteristically rough 2023 campaign to date. He still has not homered since July 15, 2022, at Target Field, but he knows he’s getting closer to the top form he displayed from 2019-22. 

“I think it’s just a process of learning,” Anderson said. “I’ve been learning a lot throughout this struggle. You guys will see. Just give it time. I can’t change it all in one game.”

Anderson’s ability to adeptly play second base, which he showed during the World Baseball Classic, adds another level of interest in a possible acquisition. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, the White Sox No. 1 prospect and No. 20 overall, per MLB Pipeline, has had a great 2023 run with High-A Winston-Salem, and could be part of the White Sox roster as soon as ‘24.

Even if Anderson is not moved, his time with the White Sox might not be a long-term deal. This next week could be a challenging one for Chicago, with so many players on low-control contracts rumored to be drawing interest.

“You’ve got to take your mind off of that, and you’ve got to play baseball. And that’s what you’ve got to focus on,” White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. “From my perspective, I’m managing this team. It’s a challenging thing, but you’ve got to be professional. You’ve got to go about your business the right way.

“There is a timing thing to this. The Trade Deadline is not until next week. So you can’t sit around and think about what can happen, because this game changes minute to minute.”

Grifol believes his players are doing a good job of handling the present situation.

“Something might happen, something might not happen,” Grifol said. “And then if it didn’t happen, you’re going to look back and say to yourself, ‘I just wasted seven or eight days thinking about this.’

“There’s a big percentage of the things you think about and worry about that never happen. So just worry about today and get yourself ready to play this game.”