2012 MLB Trade Deadline: Are the Chicago White Sox Done Trading for Now?

As the 2012 MLB non-waiver trade deadline approaches on Tuesday at 3 p.m. CDT, the Chicago White Sox are in surprisingly good shape.  There were holes on the roster that needed to be filled, and general manager Kenny Williams went out and got the job done.

Following the June 25 acquisition of Kevin Youkilis from the Boston Red Sox that filled the gaping hole in the lineup at third base, Williams added a veteran arm in the bullpen in the form of Brett Myers, as well as left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano.

The most impressive thing about the additions is that Williams filled three holes on the 25-man roster without leveraging too much talent in an already prospect-poor minor league system. 

The Liriano move begs a question, however.  Is Williams in a position to make another move?

Not right now.

With the addition of Liriano on Saturday night, some felt that it signaled the end for Philip Humber, or that trading Gavin Floyd was imminent, as the Sox had six starters on the roster and John Danks on the shelf with a potential September return.

The idea that either one would be moved was put to rest on Sunday with the announcement that Chris Sale would be shut down indefinitely due to a “dead arm” (per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune). The move marks the third time this season that Sale has been given extra rest as he navigates his way through his first season as a starting pitcher.

As a result, manager Robin Ventura and pitching coach Don Cooper have not ruled out using a six-man rotation, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. 

Another possibility reported by the Tribune’s Mark Gonzales is that the Sox may skip scheduled starts in order to keep the staff fresh for the last two months, which makes trading Floyd or relegating Humber to the bullpen unlikely.

Williams, as always, insists that another deal is not out of the question.  Gonzales wrote late Sunday that William “expressed a firm ‘yes’ when asked if he could make another move before Tuesday’s 3 p.m. non-waiver trade deadline.”

With the promotion of switch-hitting Ray Olmedo from Triple-A, the Sox have a utility infielder with some outfield experience.  While Trayce Thompson, Tyler Saladino and Dan Johnson await a September call-up, does Williams need to add another position player? 

Again, the answer has to be no. 

Considering that the waiver wire is always open and Williams is not afraid to use it (see Alex Rios), the White Sox should stand pat for a moment and let this roster come together.

With Kenny Williams behind the wheel, however, it is unlikely the fun is over for White Sox fans.