Trouble on the South Side: How the White Sox Can Right the Ship

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Long time fans of the Chicago White Sox are used to seeing the South Siders go into a bit of a slump in the second half, which occasionally brings about a dramatic finish for the AL Central.

In 2005, when they won the world series, they almost got caught by the Indians.

In 2006, they actually lost out a playoff spot to both the Twins and Tigers at the very end, despite winning over 90 games.

In 2008, we can all remember the nail-biter ending that brought the season to a close, with John Danks pitching a gem, and Jim Thome driving in the only run needed to vault the Sox into the post season.

However, the last thing any Sox fan wants to see right now is a repeat of 2007, where they only won 72 games, and weren't even a thought for the postseason race.

With the AL Central still looking mostly wide open, and plenty of the season left to go, one has to wonder what the White Sox can do to get themselves back into the thick of the race.

What is to be done about the fifth rotation spot? How can the Sox get some offensive consistency? What about the return of Brian Anderson?

Here are just a few (among many) options that might work out for The South Siders.

1. Fill the Fifth Rotation Spot with someone other than Jose Contreras.

Yes, his recovery from the torn Achilles was miraculous, but there has been nothing noteworthy about his pitching, except that it's been terrible.

I believe just as much as anyone else that Jose Contreras deserved a shot at the fifth rotation spot, especially given his speedy recovery, but the season is underway, and Contreras simply doesn't have what he used to.

What is likely frustrating for the Sox is that it's difficult to figure out what is holding him back. He lost the weight, made a great recovery, and even seems to have all of his stuff in tact. Whatever the case, however, Jose is not fit to be a starter any longer, and he may never get back to that status.

The Fix: Don't give it to Lance Broadway. The only team he was really able to tangle up was the Royals of yesteryear, and now that they've gone away, Broadway has little in his favor. Digging up a free agent seems highly unlikely,

Clayton Richard seems to be the only option for the short term, but why not give Aaron Poreda a shot? The kid might be ready.

2. The Kids Can Play, So Let Them!...Sometimes.

Youthful talent like Wilson Betemit, Brent Lillibridge, and Jayson Nix has made a big break into the White Sox offensive line up this year, and each brings along a good amount of utility range with them, making it difficult to let any of them go at this point.

However, there is a reason that the big boys get paid the big money, and some of them are showing it this year.

For instance: Paul Konerko is batting .303, with an On-Base Percentage of .351, three home runs and 10 doubles. Not bad.

Brent Lillibridge, on the other hand, is batting .154 with an On Base Percentage of of .247, no home runs and two doubles. That's troubling.

Nix and Betemit are a bit better off, hitting .300 and .257 respectively, with a combined two homers and six doubles. Nix actually leads the team in On Base Percentage, at .375.

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