Peter Christian, Soxman and Paul M. Banks break down what each MLB contender needs to make the play-offs
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Trade Rumors begin to heat up as the MLB trade deadline approaches. The deadline is 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 31. Until then teams may trade players freely without having to go through the waiver process.
At what point can we stop calling the White Sox a pleasant surprise? We knew they had the pieces it was just a matter of them not being able to get the puzzle put together the last couple seasons. The White Sox have perennially been a better first half team since Ozzie took over (253-182 pre All-Star Break through 2008; 143-159 post All-Star Break). It could be Ozzie’s grinding style of play that wears on players or it could be the fact that the core of the White Sox are just better players in the first half. Either way, the Sox should be a little proactive rather than reactive. The White Sox are the proverbial anti-Rays in the fact that they have exactly zero prospects in Baseball America’s Top 100, however they are in a rare situation where they can win now, but they can also do a little work to set them up for the future. The best option is hoping Paul Konerko stays hot out of the break and trading him for current and future value. There are plenty of teams that could use his bat and with two years left on a $12 million/year contract he could be a pretty good bargain for a team needing that final piece (I smell the Angels). Konerko could get GM Kenny Williams some bullpen help to insure Bobby Jenks has time to get healthy plus a prospect to put in the tank. If Konerko isn’t the one to move it might be time to settle the Joe Crede or Josh Fields debate. Crede has been solid this season but his value could not be any higher and GM Kenny Williams could get a great deal for him (NL West?).
–Peter ChristianÂ
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If Paul Konerko and Jim Thome would just put up their career numbers and our pitching staff remains status quo, the team who birthed me would be just fine. Alas, that is much too big an IF. Kenny Williams is rumored to be looking for another veteran starter. As the Sox do not have much of a farm system, I think Freddy Garcia would make a ton of sense. His agent wants a contract through the end of the season and scouting reports on his rehab have been great. Other than that, you could see them add another arm in the bullpen as Bobby Jenks insurance…or add a utility guy with a bit of pop like they did with Geoff Blum in 2005. Chad Bradford is a possibility. And my no-truth-whatsoever-rumor-of-the-dayâ€: how about Ray Durham or Mark Ellis?  Â
–The Soxman
Great job guys. I don’t have much else to add, other than 1.) it is indeed likely time to move Crede and 2.) Freddy Garcia’s return? I just hope he does a better job holding runners on base than he did the last time he was year. His pitching style was very conducive for promoting “grinder-ball†within our opponents!
–Paul M. Banks
 
7/17- Red Sox
7/18- Yankees
7/19- Rays
7/20- White Sox
7/21- Twins
7/22- Tigers
7/23-Angels
7/24- A’s
