MLB Trade Deadline: Are the Chicago White Sox Better off Staying as Is?

Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams has a big decision to make in the next few days.

Is the team he assembled good enough to win the American League Central Division?  Should he add to an already bloated payroll in hopes of making the playoffs?  Should he begin to sell off some big contracts to legitimate contenders?

Williams may be waiting for a sign from his ball club to plot his course. So far, however, Chicago is sitting comfortably on the fence.

On the field, the White Sox have been typically non-committal about clearing up the picture for Williams. After taking two of three from Detroit, Chicago went into Kansas City and dropped two of three.

A 3-3 post All-Star break record leaves the White Sox in a purgatory, not unseen in the past few seasons. The division is up for grabs, making it hard to wave the white flag. Big acquisitions cost key prospects and seldom result in banners.

Either way, Williams can't seem to win.

The White Sox, who dropped an 11-inning decision to the Royals Wednesday night, are 4.5 games behind the Indians and Tigers. In typical fashion, both teams also lost to preserve the quagmire in the division. Chicago is on it's way to Cleveland for a weekend series that may very well force Williams' hand one way or another. 

If the White Sox, who host Detroit next week, were waiting for a time to pick things up, now would be a good time.

It's also likely that Chicago continues to take a step forward followed by a step back. Then what?

The Red Sox and Yankees follow Detroit to town. Three games in Minnesota also lie ahead.  Williams may need to make up his mind about the club he put together in the next four or five days.

Behind curtain number one, we have...

"Buy, Kenny, Buy.  Go All In!":  Williams addresses the most glaring need and picks up a bat.  It will likely cost us a starting pitcher and a prospect or two, and also involves sitting Adam Dunn down for the remainder of the season. This pick up then has two months to put us over the top.

Remember the impact Ken Griffey, Alex Rios, Jake Peavy and Manny Ramirez had when the White Sox brought them in? Or have you tried to black that out of your memory?

Behind curtain number two...

"Here's the white flag, Kenny. Start wavin'.":  Williams attempts to move Mark Buehrle, Edwin Jackson, Carlos Quentin.  If he finds a team desperate enough, he can try to use Juan Pierre's hot July to sell him as well.

History teaches us that most of the time in this situation, Williams will buy. His policy has been that prospects are in the system to be dealt for impact players now.

However, what if he just sat back and let this team sink or swim as it is currently constructed? 

Maybe the best course of action is just to let the trade deadline come and go with no moves this summer.

Don't roll the dice on big money bats. Keep the remaining prospects he has to fight another day.  Don't give up. 

Just let the players Williams believed in this winter show us how right or wrong he was.

This may be the ballsiest move Williams could make. 

Do I think the Sox can win it all this season? 

I know that the chance exists, however small, if we get to the playoffs. On the other hand, will one more bat make the difference, especially when the two teams in front of them are likely to upgrade?

I've seen enough of Williams at this time of year to not be surprised at whatever direction he decides to take. By this time next week, the course could be clear.

Then again, the White Sox may still be in limbo. In that case, expect Williams to do something.

Or nothing.