White Sox biggest needs going into second half

With the Sox trailing both the Indians and Tigers by 5 games, GM Kenny Williams will be stuck in limbo for these next 2 weeks deciding if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline. But looking at the schedule, over the next 13 days, the Sox will play the Tigers 6 times and the Indians and Royals 3 times each.

If they can come out of this stretch with a winning record, they would definitely be buyers and Kenny will be one busy motherfucker at the end of July. For a contender, the Sox have a lot to deal away, as they have 6 above average major league arms. Most experts think Edwin Jackson is the most likely to be dealt. But I wouldn't put it past Kenny to make a major move involving one of the other arms, i.e. Gavin Floyd who has been about as consistent as Gordon Beckham (who seems to get a free pass from criticism in this town, maybe because he makes less money than Rios and Dunn, or maybe its because he is still young, either way he needs to play better but I digress)

So what would Kenny be looking for in return? Well, the most obvious hole is 3rd baseman. But this is a scarce position and other than maybe Aramis Ramirez , whose 17 million player option for next year makes him unwanted by most teams, and maybe Mark Reynolds, there aren't many quality third baseman available. The players I'm hearing that are available are Wilson Betemit, Chone Figgins, and Jose Lopez and those guys are awful. And that's doing a disservice to the word 'awful'.

One guy I would take a chance on though is the Colorado Rockies' Ian Stewart. He would come cheap, one or two Double AA pitchers, and he is only 25 years old. A change of scenery might help this one time can't miss prospect get his swing back. And we all know Kenny's love affair with former first round draft picks, who are struggling.

Another position Kenny needs to address is left field. I know Juan Pierre has been somewhat clutch over the last 15 games but he is an aging veteran, who should no longer be considered an everyday player. He should be used to spell Quentin and Rios and the incoming LF.

So what left fielders are available? Well my sources tell me the White Sox are one of 6 or 7 teams in on the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes. It makes sense as Beltran could provide the power and run production from the left side that Adam Dunn has failed to do. He is a free agent and the Sox are one team that has young assets and major league ready players to trade.

If its not Beltran that Kenny wants, a nice dark horse option is Colby Rasmus. No one is talking about it but it makes a lot of sense. The Cardinals need a legitimate starter and their manager Tony LaRussa has butted heads with Rasmus on several occasions over the years. The Sox would be stupid not to want Rasmus as the 24 year old is a 5 tool stud. It may take either Floyd or Danks plus some minor leaguers to get him, but adding Rasmus to that lineup would definitely give Sox fans boners and the team a stacked lineup.