From Chronicle Staff Writer Susan Slusser

As I reported yesterday, the White Sox are among the teams with interest in Oakland starter Jeff Samardzija, and while many outlets today are reporting that shortstop Alexei Ramirez is the A’s target, I’m hearing that minor-league shortstop Tim Anderson is also a player Oakland likes a lot.

Anderson, a first-round pick in 2013, played 10 games at Double-A last year, so he’s not quite big-league ready, but he’s a name to keep in mind. He’s ranked the White Sox’s No. 2 overall prospect, though, so he’d be a tough get. Would the White Sox move him for one year of Samardzija? Maybe, if they had some assurance Samardzija would sign a contract extension.

Yes, the A’s need a shortstop now. But there have been indications in the organization that the team would be OK with Andy Parrino, a strong defender, playing the position if nothing else materializes. And Stephen Drew remains on the free-agent market, and he might be more in Oakland’s price range than some other options. Cliff Pennington might be a trade piece for Arizona, and Pennington was a favorite of the A’s coaching staff, more of a team leader in 2012 that most realize.

Marcus Semien, a utility infielder who played at Cal, could be looked at as potential part in any deal, too.