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Chicago White Sox have difficult decision to make on Alexei Ramirez

Among the many decisions the White Sox have to make this off-season, shortstop might be the most difficult.

Tim Anderson is the Sox' top minor-league prospect, and he plays short.

Anderson has the tools to make an impact when he reaches the majors, but he spent the current season at Class AA Birmingham and is a good bet to open at AAA Charlotte next year. Will Anderson - the White Sox' first-round draft pick (No. 17 overall) in 2013 - need to spend the entire season at Charlotte?

When will he be ready to join the Sox?

It is too early to answer either question, and that puts the White Sox in a difficult spot.

Alexei Ramirez has been their starting shortstop since 2008, but he has a contract situation. The Sox hold a $10 million option on the 34-year-old infielder for next season, or they can exercise a $1 million buyout which would make Ramirez a free agent.

"I am just focusing on my game," Ramirez said through an interpreter. "I don't want to think ahead about that, at least for now. We'll see what happens after tomorrow, but I am just focusing on my game today."

Even though Ramirez is nearing the end of another disappointing season with the bat and the glove, the White Sox might decide $10 million for one more year is a fair price for an experienced shortstop that can play every day.

The Sox could also bring Anderson up at some point next season and let him learn under Ramirez.

"It's kind of tough because I have been here for eight years and I like this team," Ramirez said. "I like all of the people that work here. They're like my family. I don't want to even think about being on another team. I want to be here, and I want to finish my career here."

If the White Sox do decide to let Ramirez walk with the $1 million buyout, even if Anderson is not ready, they do have another in-house option.

Tyler Saladino was called up from Charlotte on July 10, but he replaced Conor Gillaspie at third base. Saladino is a natural shortstop and could easily move over and replace Ramirez.

"You're looking at (Saladino) on the field being able to play anywhere defensively," manager Robin Ventura said. "At least he's got a head start on things defensively and you know he can handle the position on the field. Just like everybody else, you're going to find out if he can do it offensively."

Saladino has struggled with the bat and has a .225/.268/.333 hitting line.

If the White Sox decline Ramirez' club option and need to wait on Anderson, they'll probably have to live with Saladino's strong defense and subpar offense for the first month or two of the 2016 season.

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