#9 - Tim Anderson - 2B
It wasn't that long ago that Tim Anderson was considered to have among the best hit tools in all of MLB during his time with the White Sox. He won a batting title in 2019 and hit over .300 from 2019-2022. Anderson also showed some power in Chicago as he was good for 15-20 homers every season.
Unfortunately, his power dipped in 2022 and his 2023 season was truly terrible. Anderson's injury issues the last couple of years are partially to blame, but a .582 OPS in 2023 and -2.0 rWAR is tough to put a positive spin on, although he did play significantly better in the second half.
After the White Sox declined his option for 2024, there is a chance Anderson is going to have to settle for a one year, make good deal for 2024 as teams will be wary of his challenging at times personality and declining production. However, this is a guy that was a really good player very recently and could provide a useful edge in the Red Sox's clubhouse as long as Alex Cora can keep the guardrails on him.
One important note here: Anderson is playing second base in this lineup. While he was primarily a shortstop with the White Sox, his defensive metrics there have been pretty bad the last two seasons. He has already signaled a willingness to move to second base and if Boston were able to acquire him, that seems to be the best option especially with Story at short.