Chicago White Sox Half-Term report: Buyers or Sellers at the Deadline?

If the White Sox do not make a blockbuster deal in the second half of the baseball season, I wouldn't be surprised. I can't consider them sellers though, bearing in mind the way they've played the first half of the year. They've got a mid-50s win total. About 40 more gets you the division title.  We have to remember back to the championship season of 2005, when fans berated GM Ken Williams for not making a major move, and yet, the only move he made helped the White Sox win the World Series. I'll support my belief that the White Sox won't make a major deal with a few reasons:

THE PITCHING 

They lead or are one of the top teams in the Major League with their ERA. Sure, the pitchers we thought would carry us (Vazquez, Buehrle) aren't their normal selves. Recently, Buehrle has begun to pick it up, but going into the season, how many fans could have predicted the way Danks and Floyd have pitched so far? A deal to help the bullpen (although it's another strength of the club) may be the best option, but Williams doesn't make deals just to make deals.

THE OFFENSE

Although it's not textbook to win the way they've been winning (Carlos Quentin carrying us on offense through April and May, and Jermaine Dye doing most of the work from June until now), at least they're winning. Orlando Cabrera has been hitting the last month or so from the lead-off spot, and Nick Swisher's beginning to produce also. What may be surprising is the way Jim Thome and Paul Konerko have struggled (granted, Konerko was on the DL and Thome's aging). But both of them are but bound to have a hot streak of a week or two in the second half that could help win some games.

THE DEFENSE

Can the White Sox really add anything here? I know Joe Crede is on pace to set a new career high in errors, but he makes every spectacular play. Alexei Ramirez should be a staple up the middle for years to come, and his baseball smarts helps our team. Ramirez can use a little more experience in the league, but he is the smartest baseball player on our team (as Hawk Harrelson continues to point out). If it's a tight game, Ozzie always substitutes Brian Anderson for Swisher, knowing Anderson plays a better defensive center field than Swisher.

THE BENCH

I'm pretty sure I'm not alone when I say Juan Uribe is taking up a roster space. He can't hit for anything, but what he brings to the table on defense is keeping him here. Most teams never have an above average second catcher, but when called upon once or twice a week, Toby Hall seems to produce on offense and call a good game behind the plate. Pablo Ozuna is good for his speed and a little bit of his bat, but he's cost the team a few wins by his defense. Dewayne Wise (does anyone else like this player?) is the go-to guy when giving a starting outfielder a day off. He can hit, he can run, and his defense is enough to do the job.

THE INTANGIBLES

What more can you say than “they've been here before?” Dye, Konerko, Crede, Pierzynski, Uribe, Ozuna, Buehrle, Contreras, Jenks, and Anderson (not officially on roster) all won the World Series in 2005. Thome brings a veteran presence, along with Cabrera, because of their experience on the Indians playoff teams and Angels playoff teams, respectively. Maybe we add a veteran via trade (a role player or bullpen arm), but the White Sox have a good mix of experience and talent to finish this season off with a playoff run, and hopefully another World Championship.

IF A DEAL IS MADE 

I've heard Greg Maddux (San Diego) and AJ Burnett (Toronto) may become available near the dead-line, and (get this), the Angels could be shopping Jon Garland, only if their starters are healthy, meaning Kelvim Escobar for the most part, but I don't think the White Sox would consider adding a starting pitcher. Although I don't think he's available and would cost way too much to get, Baltimore's Brian Roberts would be a great pick-up. Again, I love Ramirez and his talent and smarts, so I don't know how this would work out. With Swisher hitting, Ramirez would be the odd man out (although he can play a little outfield, or so I hear). Can we add another bullpen arm? Yes. Where should we look? Good question. Considering the way the Rockies are struggling, do they even think about trading Brian Fuentes? Again, this hypothetical deal would not suit the White Sox well (Thornton and Logan have been dominating against left-handed hitters), but it may add another lefty arm while allowing an “odd man out” scenario with an Adam Russel type.

WHAT TO GIVE UP

 I'll admit, I don't follow the White Sox farm system closely, so I don't know much about our prospects, and which are “coveted” and “untouchable.” I would hate losing young arms, even if it meant getting a major deal done. I've heard we don't have a strong farm system much anymore, but hopefully Williams is smart and has done his homework when considering trading a prospect for immediate Major League “help” (the White Sox don't need much “help”).

BAD MOMENTS OF THE FIRST HALF

 If you would have asked me after the opening series with Cleveland what position we'd be in at the All-Star break, I would have said no better than third. That series just felt like one of thoseseries. But I'm glad it didn't turn out that way, and the White Sox are on top. Losing three out of four to the Rays on the road didn't sit well with me, because two of those games we lost on walk-offs. Think about that: we could have won three of four against a first place team on the road. Another series that turned out bad would be the Cubs series at Wrigley (but the White Sox returned the favor a week later).

GOOD MOMENTS OF THE FIRST HALF

The aforementioned series sweep against the Cubs, the win streaks (8 games, 7 games—twice, six games), Carlos Quentin and Jermaine Dye's hot streaks, the bullpen and their stellar consistency, Danks and Floyd. And hopefully many more GREAT moments, climaxing in late October with another World Championship.

FIRST HALF GRADES

Offense: C  (need more consistency, need more "Ozzie ball")

Pitching:

• Starters: B-  (Surprises in Floyd and Danks, Vazquez must come around)
• Bullpen: A-   (A testament to Kenny Williams work in the off-season)

Defense: B  (Ozuna and Crede cost them maybe 3 wins in the first half)

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