Chicago White Sox Midseason Report: Don't Do Anything

Before the season began I wrote on a website (that no longer exists) that the White Sox could easily finish with 90 or 70 wins depending on how certain things fall into place.

After 90 games, it's pretty clear that the big question marks surrounding the team have been answered in a positive matter thus far. The team is in first place and performing well above most people's expectations—simply because there pitching has been great.

The reason nobody expected the White Sox to be contenders was because of all the uncertainty surrounding their starting rotation. Could Mark Buehrle bounce back? Could Jose Contreras be at least semi-competent? How would John Danks and Gavin Floyd, two unproven starters at the back end of the rotation, fair in a full season's worth of competition?

Well, the answers to those three questions are "Yes," "Yes," and "Great."

The biggest enigma about the team thus far has been the offense. The inconsistencies have made fans' heads spin, as some days they can't hit and some days they can't miss.

Additionally, the fact that the team's offensive stars have been Carlos Quentin and Alexei Ramirez (along with Jermaine Dye, which was expected) instead of Paul Konerko and Jim Thome has made this offense that much more confusing to decipher.

With the season half over and the trade deadline quickly approaching, questions have—of course—risen as to what, if anything, the White Sox should do to try to improve their team for the home stretch of the season.

The answer to that question, like the one about their pitching, is quite simple—don't do anything.

It's true that the team has struggled offensively at times and could possibly add another bat, but who would you get rid of to make room for that bat?

As much as Konerko and Thome have struggled (although Thome has swung the bat very well over the past week), it's impossible to believe they won't get hot in the second half. And the positive chemistry both of them bring to the clubhouse cannot be understated.

And even if they were to move Konerko or Thome, who could be brought in that would be considered an upgrade?

The only available player that would make any sense would be Braves' first baseman Mark Teixeira. If the team could swing a trade for him, and that's a very big IF, then it would be possible that a trade of Konerko or Thome could be acceptable.

But still, trading away one of those two ruins a chemistry that has been crucial to the success of the team. In 2005 fans and columnists were screaming for the team to trade for Ken Griffey Jr. The only move Kenny Williams made before the deadline was acquiring utility man Geoff Blum. That worked out pretty well, didn't it?

So if the White Sox were to do anything before the trade deadline, it would be the same thing they did in '05, acquire another backup infielder. With the designation of Pablo Ozuna, the White Sox are left with only Juan Uribe as a backup infielder, which could become an issue with the back issues of Joe Crede.

Even so, the smartest move by Williams would be to stand pat, and that's what he's likely to do.