MLB Trade Rumors: Getting Colby Rasmus a Buy or Sell for the Chicago White Sox?

Chicago White Sox GM Kenny Williams always seems to be a player at the trade deadline. It appears that could be the case this week despite his club still being under .500 after the first 100 games of the season.

On the heels of a 4-2 victory in Cleveland Sunday surfaced reports of possible trade talks between the White Sox and St. Louis. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that talks between the two teams centered on Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus and Chicago hurlers Edwin Jackson and Matt Thornton.

If reports are accurate, the swap would be the 24-year-old Rasmus in exchange for Jackson or Thornton, plus a prospect.

What kind of move would this be for Williams? Is this a buy or a sell?

Looks like a little of both to me.

There is a prospect moving to St. Louis in this proposed deal. Yes, Williams sheds salary by dealing either Jackson or Thornton, but gets a young center fielder with some power.

It's true that Rasmus has slumped recently, but he is hitting .241 with 10 homers. That doesn't sound impressive unless your current center fielder is hitting .209 with six home runs, which is the case with Alex Rios.

Is Williams picking up an under-performing outfielder as he did when he claimed Rios off waivers two summers ago? Maybe, but at least it's a vastly cheaper one.

Williams is a win-now type of executive and always has been. He has an extra arm in his starting rotation and a need for another bat in the lineup. It may or may not be enough to make a difference in the AL Central, but this is exactly the kind of move Williams likes to make.

Jackson just beat the Indians with a solid performance, but he's been inconsistent this year and is a free agent the team won't likely bring back. I think parting with Thornton would hurt the depth in the bullpen, so to me Jackson is the piece you use if you are looking to strike a deal.

Williams has reportedly had an eye on Rasmus for awhile. If he gets a chance to stockpile another young player, look for him to pull the trigger. It will then fall to Ozzie Guillen to figure out what to do with another outfielder.