Chicago White Sox - 2021 Second Half

Well here we are at the midpoint of the season and the White Sox are in first place in the AL Central and the whole American League.  Even with key injuries all over the diamond they have done a great job of plugging holes and getting the young guys meaningful playing time.  Where would we be without Andrew Vaughn, Billy Hamilton and (GULP) Leury Garcia.  Jake Burger has come in and given the team a boost at the plate and at third base, we have Adam Engel back and will soon watch Eloy Jimenez rejoin the team.  The pitching staff has been outstanding as a whole, a couple of relievers underperforming but that is to be expected.  Where do we go from here?  How do we finish strong and prepare for October baseball?  What does this team need at the trade deadline?

On the pitching side both Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodon are free agents after this season – so that argues to go for it with both feet this year.  Contending teams can always use an arm or two.  I think we will see the Sox add an arm from each side by the end of July.  No big names but some solid arms to soak up August and September innings and keep the dudes fresh for October.  The starting staff has been stellar thus far.  Look for the team to get the horses a little rest where possible by bringing up others or using long relievers for spot starts.

Along with Eloy the team will get Luis Robert back in the next month or so.  That will be a boost to outfield depth and the lineup.  Both he and Eloy ought to be rested for the second half and ready to rake.  They need to find a way to keep Jake Burger around and that may be at the exense of Jake Lamb.  We have already seen the team jettison Adam Eaton who is now an Angel.  Adam Engel’s presence will also be a positive and the Sox can field an all world defensive outfield when necessary in Billy Hamilton, Engel and Brian Goodwin.  I’d look for them to acquire another infielder to make up for the loss of Nick Madrigal.  Not the level of Trevor Story likely more along the lines of Eduardo Escobar.  I would be distraught if they considered trading any of their young studs yet.  They have plenty of trade chips without dipping into their top prospects.  An addition with deep playoff experience would also be welcome to help lead this group.

I think the biggest challenge is to get this team ready and peaking at the right time.  There will not be any Detroits or Minnesotas once the playoff start – they need to be ready to elevate their game and goe toe to toe with the Rays, Boston, Oakland, Houston, etc.  Hopefully they come out of the gate here with Houston at home and deliver a strong message that they have arrived.

This team has the 27th ranked strength of schedule remaining – no reason they should not be in the playoffs and likely at the top of the AL.

Contributed by Dave Schaefer