Chicago White Sox: Trade Deadline Analysis

Right now, the North Siders are celebrating...and rightfully so. They are in first place in their division, and just acquired a potentially dangerous pitcher--when healthy. The South Side? There's a little anxiety.

The Cubbies just boosted their rotation, and now look primed to make a playoff run if they can stay healthy. The White Sox also sit up top their division, and are looking to take care of business against the Royals.

Mind you, the Sox have been bad on the road this year, and while it is the Royals, they are no pushover for a victory. Now, I know the trade deadline isn't for another three weeks, but what could the White Sox really use at this point?

The infield is set, with Konerko returning after his stint on the DL, and the Sox have good depth at the infield, with jack-of-all-trades Pablo Ozuna capable of second be a good guy off the bench.

Alexei Rameriz has been great thus far for us, considering he is a rookie. He has huge potential because of his ability to drive the ball out of the park and rocket arm. Cabrera has been a great leadoff man and defender; I'm really feeling like that trade for Jon Garland worked out for us. Pierzynski is having a great year behind the plate, and Toby Hall is an adequate back-up/spot starter.

The outfield has been producing well this year. Carlos Quentin has been a pleasant surprise, especially after being named an All-Star this weekend. Swisher has been playing well, and showed his versatility the past few weeks playing first base for the injured Konerko.

Jermaine Dye is having a great year, and it baffles me as to why he wasn't selected the All-Star team initially and now has to wait to see if the fans vote him in. Depth is good with Brian Anderson and Dewayne Wise, plus the Sox have Jerry Owens waiting in the minors.

Jim Thome has been solid this year, and even though he's going to be 38 in a month, I would love to see a young guy with potential move up here. I really like Josh Fields, but he can also be used as an infielder because he has such a good glove.

The pitching staff has been one of the best in the majors. The rotation is five-deep, and all of these guys bring something to the table. Buehrle is the veteran winner; he's a World Series champ and a fast worker. He doesn't blaze the ball, but he has great movement.

Contreras has some pop in his ball but also has some movement. He's a little older, but he too is a World Champion. Vazquez is a strikeout pitcher, and usually throws some gas. Danks and Floyd are the young guns who are making their mark on this rotation. Personally, if I had to see any one of the starters go, it would have to be Contreras, but that's really just nitpicking.

The bullpen, which has really been the downfall for the team the past two years, has been the strongsuit for the team this year. Not having an All-Star come from this bullpen is a joke in my eyes.

Thornton, Linebrink, and Dotel are the best setup trio in the game, hands-down. Jenks has been giving up a lot of hits and his strike out total isn't as high as you would think, but he's still a very effective closer. This group is loaded with talent and I don't think Kenny Williams is even thinking about moving any of these guys.

So, the main question is, who will the Sox try to make a move for? Back in 2005, all Ozzie requested was a utility guy at the trade deadline. The White Sox acquired Geoff Blum from San Diego, and that was it.

Blum paid off, hitting a go-ahead homer in the 14th inning of Game 3 of the World Series. Ozzie has already stated that he is very happy with this roster and feels that this team can compete for a World Series title. I think they could add a spot starter or even a contact hitter, but I too feel as though this team can win the AL Central and make a serious run at the pennant.