Question:
With the trade deadline approaching, the Sox need to decide if they should try to stay in the playoff hunt or if they should raise "The White Flag" again as they so famously have done before when falling behind as they have. It makes sense for them to try to get better for the future when they may be able to make a run again in a few years.

Which course of action should the Sox follow?

Choices:
Do nothing....the fans are happy with last year and don't care if they win this year
Trade guys like Thome and Contreras for youth or draft picks
BACK UP THE TRUCK
Recognize that The Sox had their time and the young gun Tigers are now the story.

 

Spoken like a true Cub fan with your team mired near the bottom (for the 100th year in a row).

Sox will be fine.

I thought this season doesn't end 'til the 1st week in October?

Go White Sox.

Id like to have a write-in vote...
Make a trade for a solid relief pitcher....the Sox will still compete in the playoffs.

weaver, they might do fine in the playoffs but they have to make the playoffs first. I am not really sure that will happen this year.

6.5 games back and fading

"Ozzie in Wonderland" has lost his mirrors not to mention his touch

line...I know they have to make the playoffs first..Im just expressing a bit of confidence.

Weaver:

Atta' boy!

As of tonight it appears that the Sox will be getting Alfonso Soriano and trading Brandon McCarthy. Big splash, no doubt, but I ask the loyal Sox fans on this board if that is what the team is lacking? I keep hearing and reading that the bullpen is shaky until you get to Jenks and that the starting pitching is struggling. Is another big bat, along with a lot of strikeouts what they need most?

IMO, what they definitely don't need is their manager going postal again, this time against a much smarter and better Jon Garland. This guy is quickly turning into an embarassment and if you think that Garland appreciated being screamed at in the dugout with the cameras rolling I think you'd be mistaken. Did he want Garland tossed, or suspended? The team is now 7.5 games out and 1.5 ahead of the Yankees in the WC. No time for a loose cannon at the helm of this ship.

I don't think it will be for Brandon. The last thing they need to do is get rid of starting pitching and he should be moved into that role for a while.

The Sox are going to have to give up something.

If this trade goes through, it's a mistake. Kenny made some great moves, but maybe he needs to learn one more thing......sometimes the best deal is no deal. What the Sox need is the boring middle reliever, not a slugger. They already rely on the long ball too much.

All they need to do is pick up a couple of workman-like middle relievers and they will be fine.

rosy....fbdaddy.....as per usual, jealousy doesn't become you!

oh,how you north sider's would love to have our problem's!

this is 1 loose cannon we can disagree on...you fellow's cause you just can't stand his success and we, because he took us to the promised land, with a heckuva chance to do it again.

word on garland is, btw, that he responds well to "in your face" coaching...certainly worked out ok the other day....much to your chagrin, i'm sure!

Jealousy? Who? Me?

Sox...what did I say except that your GM made some great moves and that your team is almost set as it is?

This year, getting there will be much more difficult.

getting rid of your best pitching prospect in the minors for a back up catcher, great move......

I agree, ballfan.

There's a reason why players are in the minors. Not ready for the "Show". He'll be a heck of a player down the road. Sox need someone now.

They needed a catcher.

more jealousy from ballfan.

we'll see this move improve the Sox in 06.

prospect's can be tricky.

can you say Joe Borchard?

Of course prospects may never pan out, most of the time they don't. However, doesn't it seem like a stretch to trade such a highly rated pitcher for Sandy Alomar? I can't believe that he couldn't have come much cheaper. It is great that the Sox have built such a strong minor league system and have so many highly sought after players, but don't start throwing them around like nickels. I agree wholeheartedly with K. Williams about wanting to win now, but I'd like to trade my gems for a real difference maker, that's all.

PS- enough of this jealousy ranting. Why does anyone, anyplace who doesn't agree 100% with what the Sox are all about have to be jealous? Very strange, IMO.

Jon Garland, Dontrelle Wills......and many more. As a Cub fan, I can tell you that being wise with prospects can't be overated. I agree with Rosy.

Bottom line:

Kenny is light years in front of Jim.

Sad to say, but Widger needed to be replaced by a consumate pro and Kenny got him.

Staff ERA was 2 runs higher with Widger behind the dish.