Trade Deadline Preview: Chicago White Sox

The conundrum that surrounds the White Sox and their potential moves center around shortstop Alexei Ramirez. He has two affordable years on his contract. If the White Sox think that they can put together a team good enough to win within the next two years they will want to keep Ramirez. If the thought of the organization is that the rebuilding of the team may take longer then Ramirez and a few others may be on the trading block this month.

1. Alexei Ramirez is the big question for the White Sox. He has two affordable years left on his contract and is arguably their best hitter after rookie phenom Jose Abreu. Although they would want to keep Ramirez his trade value may never be higher. Quite a few teams including, two of baseball best teams, the San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics are looking for infield help at shortstop and second base. There are rumors that the Seattle Mariners have been seriously inquiring about him as well. Ramirez would be the teams best bargaining chip to get some good prospects to help in the rebuilding process. As previously stated they might want to stick with Ramirez if they believe they can build a winning team within the next two years.

2. Second baseman Gordon Beckham is a possible trade candidate. Beckham is having his best offensive season after years of mediocrity. He isn’t eligible for free agency for the next two years and his trade value could be the highest that it will ever be right now. There are teams other than Oakland, San Francisco and Seattle looking for infield help so moving both Beckham and Ramirez would make sense at this point.

3. Another possible trade candidate according to MLBDailyDish.com would be starter John Danks whose trade value is probably the highest it will ever be. It will only go “down from here if his recent history is any indication.” His current 4.26 ERA is the best it has been in over the past three seasons (4.33, 5.70, 4.75) and his good history prior to 2011 may interest some teams. If the White Sox are going to move  Danks, that time is now.