GM Kenny Williams will be working the phones hard tonight while his team takes on the Twins
Ten days ago the White Sox were 2.5 games back of the Tigers in second place, three games over .500. In the week and a half since, the team has won just two of ten games, dropping to six games out for the division and behind the Twins into third place. Jake Peavy went from probable for the recent debacle of a series at New York to doubtful for the rest of the season. Manager Ozzie Guillen addressed the media yesterday after the series sweep to New york by saying he felt as though he’s stealing money from owner Jerry Riensdorf with the way his club is playing. And now ESPN.com is reporting that the team sent a memo to the rest of the league saying they were open for business on Jermaine Dye, Jim Thome and Scott Linebrink as the MLB’s waiver trade deadline looms at midnight (EST) tonight.
Williams might be able to find a contender willing to add veterans to help for a September playoff push, especially with rosters expanding tomorrow, but with the way Dye, Thome and Linebrink have been playing he can’t be expecting much aside from salary relief in any deal.
Dye has hit .179 in 38 games since the All Star break after hitting .302 in the first half. He has just five homers and 17 Rbi in those 38 games, not very appealing to clubs looking for a jolt during the stretch run. Scott Linebrink has had a similar season to Dye, excelling in the first half and tanking ever since. He sported a 1.93 Era by allowing seven earned runs before the break in 32.2 innings. He’s been horrible in his 15.1 second half innings, allowing 14 runs (all earned) and five long balls. I don’t see either of these guys going anywhere, especially Linebrink and his two years and nearly ten million dollars remaining on his contract.
Thome is a different story.
Big Jim’s year hasn’t been spectacular by his standards as he’s on pace for less than 30 homers and 90 Rbi for the first time since 1995 (his injury shortened 2004 not included). Of course, those aren’t normal standards, and his left handed power would be a welcome addition to any club looking to beef up for a deep playoff run. His on base percentage is still (as always) well above league average at .375, and that combined with his power abilities and thirst for a championship after so many years without one could be more than helpful on a contender, almost certainly one in the AL. Teams like the Angels, Rangers and Tigers could all be in the market for a power lefty, and you can’t count out Boston or New York ever.
If I had to predict where, or if at all, any of these players are dealt it would be Thome to the Angels. They have a need and the space to add a veteran slugger such as Thome, especially since the cost should be relatively cheap.
The Sox have proven that they aren’t capable of playing with the class of the league after going 1-6 in Boston and New York last week. Williams will look to get whatever he can for anyone, not just the three mentioned, who doesn’t fit into Chicago’s plans for the future. Peavy and Alex Rios gave the fan base hope for another improbable stretch run to the playoffs, hoping to see an entertaining finish like last year when the team beat three different opponents in three days to make the post-season.
At this point it’s meaningless for Peavy to return, especially if he’s not 100%, and Rios will be better off getting full-time at bats instead of having to be juggled in a crowded outfield. I hate to bury them before they’re mathematically eliminated, but it seems like the organization already has it’s mind on 2010 on the south side.
